BGI Undergraduate Fellowship Program

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The Brandeis-Genesis Institute for Russian Jewry (BGI) provides significant funding and stipends for select Russian-speaking undergraduates at Brandeis University.

The undergraduate fellowship program integrates academic study at Brandeis with BGI extra-curricular programming designed to enhance connections to the Russian-speaking Jewish world. Students choose their own majors and participate in specially designed programming such as community-based volunteer projects, student-designed cultural events and presentations, group retreats and leadership development seminars.

 


Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is eligible for fellowships through the BGI?

Fellowships are intended for undergraduate 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.

Are international students eligible for fellowships through the BGI?

Undergraduate students from FSU who are admitted as Freshmen to Brandeis University are eligible for the Fellowship.

Are transfer student eligible for fellowships through the BGI?

Undergraduate students who have completed less than one year of course work at another college or university are considered Freshmen and are eligible to apply for the Fellowship.Students who have completed more than one year of study may apply to Brandeis University as transfer students.Transfer students are not eligible for these fellowships.

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.

How do I apply for the BGI fellowship?

Interested students apply through the Brandeis Undergraduate Admissions Office to be considered for the BGI Undergraduate Fellowship Program. There is no special form or application to apply for a BGI undergraduate fellowship.Interested candidates should indicate their Russian language skills, their commitment to service to the Jewish community, and their interest in the fellowship in the personal biography and essay sections of the application.

Students are encouraged to contact the BGI Program Office before or after submitting their applications.

How much financial support does the BGI fellowship offer?

The BGI undergraduate fellowship offers a renewable four-year scholarship of $20,000 per year.

Are current Brandeis students eligible for the Fellowship?

The BGI fellowships will be given to students entering Brandeis University in the fall of 2011. Current Brandeis students are not eligible for these fellowships.

If I am accepted to Brandeis for the 2011-2012 school year but defer admission until 2012-13, 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 contact the BGI Program Office, and we will be sure to keep you up-to-date on the selection process over the course of the next year.

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. Applicants who wish to sit in on a class geared for Russian speakers should contact the BGI Program Office.

What activities do undergraduate BGI fellows participate in?

In addition to their studies, fellows join together for special activities related to Jewish engagement. These include intellectual and cultural programs, mentoring, individual projects, retreats, group activities, and perhaps travel opportunities. Fellows have the option of participating in Jewish religious life on campus, but this is not a formal part of the program. Check out our list of past and upcoming events.

My question isn't answered here. How can I find out more information?

Contact Lisa Mankita Fay, BGI Program Administrator, for more information: (781) 736-8410 or lfay@brandeis.edu.


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