Graduate Funding

For more information on the University’s guidelines surrounding travel, see the links below:

The Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies is pleased to provide funding for graduate students in the form of named fellowships as well as grants. Funding is available to students throughout the academic year; for summer travel related to research; and for travel grants for students presenting research at academic or professional conferences.

Priority for funding will be given to students who are active participants of IIJS programming (an expectation of grantees). Please also note that as funding is limited, not all requests can be accommodated. If you have questions, contact iijs@columbia.edu.  

Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies Fellowships

The Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies Fellowships are awarded to doctoral students pursuing graduate degrees in any of the departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offering Jewish studies (History, Religion, Germanic Languages and Literatures, Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures, and Slavic Languages and Literature) as well as to students within the Columbia community who are writing dissertations on Israel and/or Jewish Studies topics.

Application deadline for all materials: April 18, 2025

Bloom Fellowship

The Bloom Fellowship was established in 1998 with the generous gift of Bernard and Muriel Bloom to provide financial assistance to a graduate student in Jewish history. The recipient is chosen from the applicants to the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies fellowship program.

Hoffman Fellowship

The Hoffman Fellowship was established in 1993 with a gift from Mary Franklin in memory of her sister Louise Hoffman. This fellowship provides financial aid to a deserving graduate student pursuing a degree in the study of Jewish history, Hebrew language and literature, Yiddish studies, or Judaism. The recipient is chosen from the applicants to the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies fellowship program.

Fromer Fellowship

The Fromer Fellowship was established in 1994 with a gift from Dr. Carl Fromer in memory of his mother Irene C. Fromer, and is to be given to a deserving graduate student in Jewish studies researching ancient Jewish history. The recipient is chosen from the applicants to the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies fellowship program.

Summer Study/Research Grants

Summer study/research grants are intended for current doctoral students in good standing in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Funding will be awarded competitively. It can cover expenses related to research needs during the summer of 2025 (including living expenses). The primary subject matter of the research must be Israel and/or Jewish Studies.

Funds must be used in accordance with university policy. Once funds are allocated for research it is the students' responsibility to apply in a permitted way.

All applications must be accompanied by a form from the student's advisor explaining the need for this travel for the applicant's project.

Application deadline for all materials: April 18, 2025

Conference Travel Grants

The Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies accepts applications for travel grants for students who are presenting research at academic or professional conferences. You must be a current doctoral student in good standing in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the subject matter of the research must be related to Israel and/or Jewish Studies. Please review the application and check list in order to prepare the submission.

All applications must be accompanied by the faculty advisor consent form and a letter from the student's advisor explaining the need for this travel for the applicant's project/presentation.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please note that some international travel will need prior approval from Columbia's Global Travel office.