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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the mission of the BGI?

• What activities will the BGI undertake?

• Which programs are offering scholarships through the BGI?

• Who is eligible for fellowships through the BGI?

• Do recipients have to have been born in Russia or other parts of the former Soviet Union to be eligible for a fellowship?

• When/how can I apply for degree program scholarship?

• Are there any fellowships for current Brandeis students?

• If I have already been accepted to Brandeis for the 2009-10 school year, can I still apply for a fellowship?

• If I was accepted to Brandeis for the 2009-10 school year but am deferring admission until 2010/2011, can I be considered for a fellowship?

• How much support do the BGI fellowships offer?

• Why should I study at Brandeis?

• Are there other Russian-speaking undergraduate students on the Brandeis campus?

• What activities do undergraduate BGI fellows participate in?

• How can I find out more information?

What is the mission of the BGI?

The mission of the Brandeis-Genesis Institute (BGI) is to prepare Russian-speaking Jews from around the world to become effective community leaders fortified by Jewish knowledge, a systematic understanding of Russian Jewry, and a commitment to the future of the Jewish people.

What activities will the BGI undertake?

The BGI will offer scholarships to allow students to study at Brandeis University, while working together to build connections to the Jewish community at Brandeis, in the greater Boston area and around the world.

Which programs are offering scholarships through the BGI?

Scholarships will be offered in three areas at Brandeis University:

1. Summer study for high school students through the Office of High School Programs Genesis and BIMA at Brandeis University.

2. Undergraduate fellowships to admitted Brandeis University students.

3. Master’s degree scholarships in the Hornstein Program in Jewish Professional Leadership.

 Who is eligible for fellowships through the BGI?
Fellowships are intended for students from Russian-speaking background households who have basic Russian language skills and the knowledge and motivation to be of service to the Russian-speaking Jewish community.

Do recipients have to have been born in Russia or other parts of the former Soviet Union to be eligible for a fellowship?
No. We anticipate that many BGI participants will have been born in the U.S. or other countries to parents who emigrated from the former Soviet Union.

When/how can I apply for degree program scholarship?

• Scholarships for summer study for current high school students are available through the Office of High School Programs Genesis and BIMA at Brandeis University for Summer 2010

• Undergraduate students must follow the Brandeis University Admissions applications application process. Details about submitting applications and deadline dates are available on the Admissions Office website. The deadline for fall 2010 has passed. Undergraduate Admissions Office.

• Master’s degree students who wish to apply for fall 2010 should contact the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program for details and deadline dates.

Please feel free to send us your questions by filling out our online form.

Are there any fellowships for current Russian Brandeis students?
The BGI fellowships will be given to students entering Brandeis in the fall of 2010. Current Brandeis students are not eligible for these fellowships.

If I have already been accepted to Brandeis for the 2010-11 school year, can I still apply for a fellowship?
The BGI fellowships for fall 2009 were chosen through a selection process, not an application process. It is not possible to apply for the fellowship for fall 2009.

If I was accepted to Brandeis for the 2010-011 school year but am deferring admission until 2011-12, can I be considered for a fellowship?
We have not yet determined the selection process for students for the BGI fellowships for fall 2010. If you choose to attend Brandeis and wish to be considered for a BGI fellowship starting fall 2011, then you should email the BGI staff (bgi@brandeis.edu), and we will be sure to keep you up-to-date on the selection process over the course of the next year.

How much support do the BGI fellowships offer?

For high school students in the Office of High School Programs, Genesis and BIMA, the BGI scholarships cover a significant cost of the tuition, room, and board. The scholarship provides $3,600 towards the $4,600 tuition with additional scholarship available on a need basis.

For undergraduate fellowships to Brandeis University: The BGI covers the students' demonstrated financial need, as determined by the Brandeis University financial aid office, PLUS a merit scholarship of $7,500 per year.

For the Hornstein Program in Jewish Professional Leadership: The BGI covers the full cost of tuition, plus a stipend for living costs.

Why should I study at Brandeis?
As a non-sectarian university founded and supported by the American Jewish community, Brandeis is committed to the very highest academic standards in all fields: from the arts, to computer science, to the life sciences, to psychology, as well as in Jewish studies. Brandeis is well represented in the scholarly fields of Judaic Studies, Russian Studies, and Russian-Jewish studies, as well as European studies in general. Brandeis offers an array of academic programs, institutes, and research centers that lead the world in enhancing our understanding of the Jewish experience.  Additional information is available on the Undergraduate Admissions Website.

Are there other Russian-speaking undergraduate students on the Brandeis campus?
Russian-speaking students, many of them Jewish, are already attending Brandeis University in significant numbers. These students, numbering more than 100, are studying in a variety of fields, and are active in the University’s Russian Club.

What activities do undergraduate BGI fellows participate in?
In addition to their studies, BGI fellowship students will join together for special activities related to Jewish engagement. These will include intellectual programs, mentoring, individual projects, cultural programs, retreats, group activities, and perhaps travel programs. Students will have the option of participating in Jewish religious life on campus, but this will not be a formal part of the program.

My question isn't answered here. How can I find out more information?
Use our contact form to submit your question.