Eizenstat Israel Travel Grant
Apply by April 4, 2026 for travel taking place in Summer 2026 or during the 2026-27 academic year. For details, see "Who is Eligible" in the FAQ below.
Please note: Grant awards and participation may be subject to change due to the current war.
The Frances Taylor Eizenstat '65 Israel Travel Grants are competitive grants of up to $2,500 each, awarded to students from any Brandeis department pursuing academic or career interests in Israel.
The program was established in 2013 in memory of Frances Taylor Eizenstat '65, a Brandeis alumna who first visited Israel through the Brandeis Hiatt program in 1963.
This wide-reaching grant covers academic pursuits in science and business, as well as social sciences, humanities and arts. It was created to provide impetus for students to travel to Israel to learn Hebrew, intern in social justice projects, NGOs, Israeli companies and laboratories, participate in research projects from archaeology to contemporary issues, engage in professional training, conduct a senior thesis project, or join academic programs such as Brandeis study abroad.
See frequently asked questions below for further details:
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Brandeis undergraduate and graduate students in good academic standing in any Brandeis department who are travelling to Israel for a summer, a semester, intersession, or an academic year, to participate in an Israel-based program. Travel must be completed before graduation. Preference will be given to students participating in a program at least eight weeks in duration, and to undergraduate students.
This grant is not meant to support general travel or Birthright trips to Israel.
Your online application will ask for:
- Personal statement - A short essay between one and one and a half pages long. It should explain what you will be doing in Israel, why you selected that program or project, what you hope to gain from the experience, and how it relates to your academic and/or career interests.
- Offer letter from sponsoring institution - A formal letter, on their stationary, from an institution, company, or NGO in Israel that has accepted your application and notes the duration of the program and your responsibilities.
- Letter from the Provost - All travel to Israel requires Provost approval. See instructions. For assistance, contact Risk & Insurance Manager Bill Thomas at billthomas@brandeis.edu.
- Letters of recommendation - Two recommendations to be emailed directly to us; one from a Brandeis faculty member and one from another person who can attest to your character. Kindly have them email the references to scis@brandeis.edu and note "Eizenstat Reference" and your name in the subject line.
- Unofficial transcript
- Dates of travel
- Budget - Indicate how the grant money will be used.
Apply for the grant by April 4, 2026.
Grantees will submit photos and two written or video blog posts during their time in Israel, and will make a public presentation about their experience in the fall or early spring following their travel. They may be asked to provide advice for prospective applicants in subsequent years.
A Schusterman Center committee will select the grant recipients and notify applicants in late April. Awardees must confirm their acceptance by the date specified in their award letter. We will conform to accepted university practice in issuing the grant funds.
Read about three of our 2021 grant recipients in "How a Trip to Israel Changes You".
