Annual Fellowships for Holocaust Research Scholars

Deadline: 15-Nov-2026

The Mandel Center Fellowships support scholars conducting significant research and writing on the Holocaust and related subjects. The fellowship is open to scholars at different career stages, beginning with PhD candidates who have completed all requirements except the dissertation (ABD), and provides a $5,000 monthly stipend, travel support, research resources, and a scholarly residency in Washington, DC. What Are the Mandel Center Fellowships? The Mandel Center Fellowship Program supports substantial research and writing projects focused on the Holocaust and related topics. The programme is designed to encourage interdisciplinary scholarship and provides fellows with access to extensive archival, library, oral-history, audiovisual, and museum resources. Fellows join a collaborative research environment where they can develop their projects while engaging with other scholars and participating in academic programmes. Why Does the Mandel Center Fellowship Matter? Holocaust research depends on access to diverse historical sources, including documents, testimonies, photographs, films, artefacts, and survivor records. The fellowship helps scholars conduct in-depth research by combining: Projects may also draw on multiple academic disciplines where appropriate. The key requirement is that the proposed research has a meaningful connection to the Holocaust or related subjects. Who Is Eligible to Apply? The fellowship is open to scholars at all career stages.

Eligible applicants include:

PhD candidates who are ABD (all but dissertation). Established scholars. Faculty members between appointments. Unaffiliated scholars. Researchers at other stages of their academic careers. The programme therefore does not restrict eligibility to senior academics or university faculty. Can Previous Fellows Apply Again? Yes, previous Mandel Center fellows may reapply. However, applicants who have previously received a Mandel Center fellowship must observe a seven-year interval before applying again. Applicants should therefore check the timing of any previous fellowship before submitting a new application. What Research Resources Are Available? One of the major benefits of the fellowship is access to the Museum’s extensive research collections.

Fellows can access resources including:

More than 120 million pages of archival documents. A multilingual research library. Oral histories. Films. Photographs. Art collections. Historical artefacts. Memoir collections. The Database of Holocaust Survivor and Victim Names. These resources can support research involving historical documentation, survivor testimony, visual culture, material culture, genealogy, memory studies, and related areas. What Does the Fellowship Provide? Selected fellows receive financial support and access to the Mandel Center’s research environment. Monthly Stipend Fellows receive a $5,000 monthly stipend. The stipend may be subject to applicable taxes. Travel Support Fellows also receive a one-time travel stipend for roundtrip economy transportation to Washington, DC. Research Residency

Fellowship awards are available for:

Two consecutive months. Four consecutive months. Eight consecutive months. A minimum residency period of two consecutive months is required. Is Visa Assistance Available? Yes. Visa assistance is available to fellows and their dependents where required. However, the programme does not provide additional financial support for accompanying family members. Applicants who require immigration support should consider this when planning their residency. What Academic and Professional Support Do Fellows Receive? The fellowship offers more than financial assistance.

Fellows benefit from:

A collaborative scholarly environment. Tailored onboarding. Guidance through the Emerging Scholars Publications Program. Regular presentations. Lectures. Opportunities to interact with other scholars. Access to specialist research collections. This environment is intended to help scholars advance both their research and professional development. How Long Is the Fellowship? The fellowship can last for two, four, or eight consecutive months. The minimum fellowship period is two months. Applicants should select a residency period that matches the scope of their research and writing project. How to Apply for the Mandel Center Fellowship Applicants should prepare a focused research proposal and demonstrate how the fellowship residency will advance their work.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet the career-stage requirements.

The programme is open beginning with:

PhD candidates who are ABD. Faculty between appointments. Unaffiliated scholars. Scholars at other career stages. Previous fellows should also confirm that at least seven years have passed since their previous fellowship.

Step 2: Develop a Research Project

Identify a substantial research or writing project related to the Holocaust or a closely related subject.

The project should have clearly defined:

Research questions.

Objectives

Methodology. Sources. Expected outcomes.

Step 3: Explain Why the Mandel Center Is Important

A strong application should explain why the fellowship environment is particularly valuable for the proposed research. Identify relevant resources available through the Museum, such as: Archival documents. Oral histories. Photographs. Films. Art. Artefacts. Memoirs. Survivor and victim records. Avoid simply listing resources. Explain how specific collections will help answer your research questions.

Step 4: Prepare the Project Proposal

The application requires a project proposal in PDF format.

The proposal must be:

Written in English. No more than 1,000 words. Clearly explain the project’s purpose, significance, research approach, and expected outcomes.

Step 5: Prepare the CV Summary

Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae summary in PDF format.

The CV summary must be:

No more than four single-spaced pages. Focus on academic qualifications, research