Funding and Opportunities

Undergraduate Research Scholars

Each year a select cohort of undergraduate scholars, pursuing promising independent research, may apply to become a part of the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program in Jewish Studies.

Undergraduate Research Scholars have participated in the following opportunities:

• Travel to Brazil and Amsterdam in order to pursue research on the Judeo-Portuguese diaspora
• Research in New York on Jewish/ African-American post-civil rights relations
• Creation of mobile apps in connection with Computer Science
• Internship at Yad Vashem
• Internship with former Israeli President Shimon Peres
• Research at the Union for Reform Judaism
• Archeological digs in Israel and Jordan
• Study abroad in Israel, Russia, Germany, Poland, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, England, and many other exciting locations

Further information may also be found here. 

Seymour H. Shore Endowment

The Seymour H. Shore Endowment provides support for undergraduate scholarships for students who pursue academic work in the field of Judaic Studies. Scholars will receive funding for their research projects, which may include a senior honors thesis in any relevant discipline. 

Applications from students engaged in independent scholarship or senior thesis research in any aspect of Jewish Studies are welcomed. Potential disciplines may include, but are not limited to: International Comparative Studies, History, Slavic Studies, Computer Science, Germanic Languages and Literatures, Religious Studies, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES), Cultural Anthropology, Political Science, and Gender, Sexuality & Feminist Studies.

Students are required to submit:

• a one-page proposal of their project
• an estimated budget
• a letter of recommendation from the faculty member overseeing the project

Faculty nominations are also welcome.

All materials should be sent directly to serena.elliott@duke.edu 

Ostad Fellowship in Jewish Studies

Ostad Fellowships will be awarded for undergraduate research in Jewish Studies; and preference will be given to proposals that focus on Jewish-Muslim relations and/ or women in Sephardic Judaism. Other proposals in Jewish Studies will be considered depending on available funds.

Students are required to submit:

• a one-page proposal of their project
• an estimated budget
• a letter of recommendation from the faculty member overseeing the project

Faculty nominations are also welcome.

All materials should be sent directly to serena.elliott@duke.edu with the subject line “Ostad Fellowship.”

Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling  basis.

Carol & Eric Meyers Fellowship for Social Justice and Peace Studies

Fellowships awarded for internship or field of study focused on the themes of social justice and peace. The project should be one that respects and celebrates human rights, inclusiveness and a wide range of views.  This award honors the distinguished careers of Bernice and Morton Lerner Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Judaic Studies, Eric Meyers, and Mary Grace Wilson Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at Duke University, Carol Meyers.   

Students are required to submit:

• a one-page proposal of their project
• an estimated budget
• a letter of recommendation from the faculty member overseeing the project

Faculty nominations are also welcome.

All materials should be sent directly to serena.elliott@duke.edu.  

Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling  basis.

In addition to funding opportunities through the Department of Religious Studies and Graduate Studies, the Center for Jewish Studies is pleased to several offer opportunities for the advancement of Graduate Education.

Nathan J. Perilman Fellowship in Judaic Studies

The Perilman Fellowship is offered to incoming graduate students. The fund supporting this grant, our most prestigious fellowship in Jewish Studies, honors the memory of Rabbi Nathan Perilman, who, after serving at Temple Emmanu-El in New York City, joined the Triangle-area Jewish community in his retirement. (Listing of past and current Nathan J. Perilman Fellowship Recipients). To nominate a candidate, the Director of Graduate Studies should submit a letter summarizing the candidate's strengths and how proposed research interests contribute to Jewish Studies. A copy of the CV and Statement of Interest should also be forwarded to serena.elliott@duke.edu.

Perilman Summer Stipend

The Perilman Summer Stipend provides funding for doctoral students in Jewish Studies for summer research (maximum of $5,000). Students are required to submit a one-page statement of a proposed summer research agenda and a letter of endorsement from his or her advisor. The specific amount awarded will depend upon previous grants received from the Center for Jewish Studies as well as other fellowships received for the period this award covers. Applications received by December 15 are guaranteed consideration; applications received after that date will be considered according to funds available.

Perilman Research Award

Graduate students in all disciplines that relate to Jewish Studies may apply yearly for a Perilman Research Award of up to $1000.00 per year. Preference will go to students who are presenting relevant papers at conferences, and/or participating in a relevant workshop or panel discussion. Applicants need to send a copy of their proposal, as well as appropriate acceptance/ invitation letter, and a proposed budget to serena.elliott@duke.edu. All expenses should be purchased directly by the Center for Jewish Studies.

Perilman Advanced Doctoral Research Grant 

Students entering their sixth year of doctoral work in Jewish Studies are eligible to apply for grant funding (maximum of $7,000), usually to support completion of the dissertation although other research may be eligible. To apply, students are required to submit a one-page statement detailing a research agenda (usually dissertation topic, current status, plan for completion) for the academic year and a letter of endorsement from his or her advisor or the project  supervisor. The specific amount awarded will depend upon previous grants received from the Center for Jewish Studies as well as other fellowships received for the period this award covers. Applications received by December 15 are guaranteed consideration; applications received after that date will be considered according to funds available.

Perilman Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Applications are currently closed.   The Center for Jewish Studies at Duke University will accept applications for the Perilman Post-Doctoral Fellowship for the 2024-25 academic year.

About the Fellowship:

The Perilman Post-Doctoral Fellowship provides a stipend of $55,000 per year, as well as benefits, for one full year, with a second year possible renewal. The Fellow will be expected to be in residence, to conduct research in Duke's library and archival collections, to participate actively in the intellectual life of the university, to teach three semester courses over two years, and to give a public lecture on their research. The Fellow may not undertake any other sustained teaching or employment during their tenure at Duke. Preference will be given to candidates whose area of research and teaching most enriches the offerings already available on campus and whose presence in the Research Triangle promises the greatest contribution to the faculty and student intellectual community, as well as those for whom the use of the Duke Library holdings and Special Collections will be most profitable. This postdoctoral fellowship honors the memory of Rabbi Nathan Perilman, who, after serving at Temple Emmanu-El in New York City, joined the Triangle-area Jewish community in his retirement.

Priority deadline: January 15, 2024.

Applicants must have earned the PhD within the past 3 years. Advanced doctoral students applying must include a statement from their dissertation supervisor indicating that they will have the Ph.D. in hand by July 1, 2024.

Applicants should submit the following materials electronically at: (link will be posted Fall 2023)

• A letter of intent stating how applicant would use the year to further their research and scholarly publication (not to exceed 5 pages);
• A current CV;
• A writing sample, not to exceed 20 pages;
• Names and contact details of three referees, including one that can speak to applicant's teaching ability;
• A statement of teaching interests (not to exceed 2 pages), syllabi for ONE course, as well as a list of already taught and proposed courses);
• A transcript from the applicant's doctoral-granting institution.

Duke welcomes applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, disability, age, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other factors as prohibited by law. Previous applicants are eligible to re-apply. Candidates from all American and foreign universities are welcome.

Phone/ Zoom interviews may be conducted for finalists.

Further information about the Duke Center for Jewish Studies may be found at http://jewishstudies.duke.edu. Further information about post-doctoral services at Duke may be found at: http://postdoc.duke.edu/. Please send any questions to serena.elliott@duke.edu

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.