FAQ
Who is eligible to apply to the Summer Fellowship?
The program is open to current college students and recent college graduates (up to two years post graduation) from anywhere in the world, who are interested in moral, social, political, or strategic thought. College-age Jews of all backgrounds and denominations are invited to apply, as well as non-Jews with a strong interest and background in Judaism of some form.
When is the deadline for applications?
Our application deadline is January 24th, 2025. We review applications on a rolling basis.
We encourage you to submit your summer fellowship application early. This gives us a few months in the late winter and spring to develop your research project or internship.
What will make my summer fellowship project proposal strong?
- What does the final product look like and who would be an ideal audience for it?
- What puts you in a good position to do this work?
- Are there individuals who you would want to work with on this project?
- What good will it do for flourishing of the Jewish community and/or America?
Can alumni of other Tikvah programs apply?
Yes. And please be in touch with our college programs staff directly if you have not already to let us know you are applying!
What will the basic financial, room, and board arrangements be?
The program is fully subsidized by the Tikvah Fund, including lunches and some other weekday meals, tuition, and books. Fellows will receive a total award of $6,000. This comes in two parts: $2,400 as a pure stipend and $3,600 to cover NYC housing. The latter is usually claimed by accepting the NYC accommodation that we have arranged for fellows.
What will the basic religious arrangements be?
The entire program will be conducted with respect for Jewish observance, including strictly-Kosher food.
What is the Tikvah Fund?
Through its educational programs and institutions, Tikvah is shaping the rising generation of Jewish, Zionist, and American leaders. And through its media ventures, academic press, and wide array of conferences and events, Tikvah is advancing the most serious thinking about the great challenges facing the Jewish people.
The Tikvah model aims to form young Jews with moral confidence and civic courage, informed by the hard-won lessons of Jewish history and devoted to strengthening Jewish civilization in the many arenas of civic life.
Tikvah operates schools, intensive fellowships, summer institutes, and honors programs for students of all ages. We work closely with Jewish parents, educators, day schools, and colleges. We produce publications, podcasts, and online courses that bring Tikvah’s ideas to the world. Through the Tikvah Society and our many membership programs and gatherings, we are building a community of engaged Jews and public-spirited Americans committed to our shared calling.
Does Tikvah have a particular worldview?
Yes. Tikvah is politically Zionist, economically free-market oriented, culturally traditional, and theologically open-minded. That said, we recognize that there is a time for reflection and a time for action. There is a time to ask big, open-ended questions and a time to hold fast to certain principles to confront a crisis or a dilemma. The Beren Summer Fellowship will dedicate much of its time to open discourse and respectful seminars on the fundamental questions of human life, family, power, and economics. There will also be time devoted to applying the most compelling ideas to present-day circumstances.
