Jewish Studies Research and Awards

I. Each fall and spring the Jewish Studies Program offers the following grants to both undergraduate and graduate Penn students.

• Goldfein Research Awards are intended to cover research projects and study programs.
• Brenner Special Opportunity Awards finance special needs not otherwise covered by grants, such as travel to conferences or special courses of study.
  
  Application Deadline: Thursday, March 27, 2008
  For a Research Award application, click here.

II. Each spring, the Jewish Studies Program awards the Samuel and Esther Goldin Endowment Award. This annual award benefits an outstanding student majoring or minoring in Jewish Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. The prize amount is $250. Majors or minors in Jewish Studies may submit essays to be considered for the Goldin Award.

Essay Deadline: Thursday, March 27, 2008

2006-07 Jewish Studies Award Winners

Previous Award Winners
2005-06 | 2004-05 | 2003-04 | 2002-03 | 2001-02 | 2000-01

III. Various Other Awards

Dorot Foundation grants of up to $1,000 are awarded each spring for university study or participation in archaeological excavations in Israel. The scholarships are primarily designed for undergraduates to use in summer programs, with occasional exceptions made for semester or year-long university programs and for graduate students. Grants are provided only for students pursuing organized study or archaeological programs; grants will not be given for tours or private travel. Primary consideration will be given to students who have never been to Israel. Applications are available in the Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations department.

The Moshe Greenberg Prize is presented annually to a graduating senior whose knowledge of Hebrew was acquired at Penn and who shows exceptional proficiency in the language. The prize is named in honor of Moshe Greenberg who taught Hebrew and Biblical Studies at Penn from 1954-1970 and wrote his textbook Introduction to Hebrew here. He was Ellis Professor of Hebrew and Semitic Languages and Literatures at Penn from 1964-1970 and then became Professor of Bible at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he is now Yitzhak Becker Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies.

The Judah Goldin Memorial Prize for Excellence in Advanced Hebrew Studies is presented annually to a student majoring in Hebrew & Judaica whose knowledge of Hebrew was acquired before coming to Penn and who excels in advanced courses studying Hebrew literature in the original. This prize is named for Judah Goldin (1914-1998), who was Professor of Postbiblical Hebrew Literature at Penn from 1973-1985.

Merle Saunders Schaff Memorial Awards of $200 are offered each spring for the best essay (or comparable expression) demonstrating creative thinking on any subject related to the archaeology of Ancient Israel or to Judaic religious thought through the Middle Ages. A special prize of $500 will be given for a suitable essay in the area that led the donor to establish the prize, namely, connections between Celtic Christianity and the religious culture of the ancient Hebrews. Essays should be submitted to Robert Kraft in the Religious Studies Department, 201 Logan Hall/6304.

The Workman's Circle/Arbiter Ring Prize is an award for excellence in Yiddish Studies presented to a student each spring by the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures.

IV. Research Award Guidelines

Phillip E. Goldfein Awards are administered according to the following guidelines: The project must represent original research or scholarship. Grants will be made only for research that is conducted after the proposal has been approved. Students awarded these grants are expected to document their research in the form of a progress report of not more than 500 words, which must be approved and signed by the project recommender. Types of expenses to which the funds may be applied include travel to libraries, museums, archives, and research sites; living expenses that would enable the student to remain at the University during the summer or do research elsewhere; research equipment and supplies, including books, films, and photocopying; computer or laboratory fees; and specialized computer peripherals and software. All original receipts must be submitted within thirty days of return from travel.

Raymond B. Brenner Awards are administered according to the following guidelines: Grants will be made only for projects that are undertaken after the proposal has been approved. Students awarded these grants are expected to document their experience in the form of a progress report of not more than 500 words, which must be approved and signed by the project advisor. Types of expenses to which the funds may be applied include tuition, travel expenses, or other special needs. All original receipts must be submitted within thirty days of return from travel.

Please note: There are not separate application forms for the two awards, so please check whether you are applying for the Brenner or Goldfein award. If necessary, applications for one award felt to be more appropriate for the other award will be switched at the discretion of the designated faculty committee. Applicants for summer funding should apply at the spring deadline.

Application cycles are run in both semesters, usually at the same time as the applications for the Nassau Fund and other undergraduate research competitions.  For the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships at Penn, click here.

Application Deadline: Thursday, March 27, 2008

For a Research Award application, click here.