Postdoctoral Research Fellowships at Yad Vashem's International Institute for Holocaust Research

Since its inception, The International Institute for Holocaust Research has sought to encourage and support worldwide scholarly research on the Holocaust, and foster a new generation of scholars. As part of this endeavor, the Research Institute is pleased to offer two-to-four-month fellowships to support research on the Holocaust, its antecedents, and aftermath. Our program is open to those who have received a PhD, JD, MD, or a Licentiate in Theology.  Proposals from different academic disciplines, such as history, sociology, anthropology, art and music history, medicine, law, film studies, theology, geography, and archeology, are welcomed. Research fellowships are primarily conducted at Yad Vashem; however remote fellowships with access to the Yad Vashem Archives are possible.

Fellowship Program at Yad Vashem

A research fellowship provides scholars with the opportunity and time to conduct research in a scholarly environment, utilize the Yad Vashem Archives and Libraries, participate in the programs of the Research Institute, and consult with scholars about their project.  
The Yad Vashem Archives and Libraries—the largest central repository of Holocaust documentation in the world, housing over 210 million pages of documentation, 500,000 photographs, 4.8 million names, and over 131,000 survivor testimonies—includes documents from Jewish and non-Jewish institutions, Nazi documentation, copies of records from Eastern European archives, maps, films, diaries, letters, in addition to the library’s 169,000 titles and over 4,000 journals on the Holocaust. 
Fellows are required to be at Yad Vashem at least three days per week. On other days, fellows are encouraged to work on their projects by taking advantage of relevant source material housed in other institutions throughout the country, such as the Israel State Archives, the National Library, the Central Archives for the History of the Jewish People, the Central Zionist Archives, and the Ghetto Fighters’ Museum.

Duration and Stipend

The Research Institute offers three periods: October–January, March–June, and July–August. Individual awards are for two, three, and four consecutive months. The length of the fellowship award and the semester are at the final discretion of the Research Institute.

In-person fellows receive a monthly stipend of 15,000 NIS. Fellows coming from abroad receive a one-time travel stipend to support their round trip (economy travel to Israel). Fellows are responsible for securing their own accommodation and health insurance during the fellowship tenure. The Research Institute does not provide financial support for accompanying family members.  Remote fellows receive a monthly stipend of 7,500 NIS.

Application Instructions

Research fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis. Project proposals must be related to the Holocaust (which may include its antecedents and aftermath). Proposals should specify the resources and collections that the scholar wishes to consult at Yad Vashem. Any planned absences, such as conferences, symposia, and extended holiday travel, must be conveyed to the Research Institute prior to the commencement of the research period. Applicants must state other fellowships and financial awards that would be concurrent during the Yad Vashem fellowship period.

An application packet consists of: 

• A completed application form, or by writing to research.applications@yadvashem.org.il.
• A curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages).
• A four-to-five-page (1,250–1,500 words) detailed research project proposal outlining what the applicant plans to undertake during the term of the fellowship. The proposal should contain the following: An explanation of the topic to be addressed, its background, and the reason for its importance; the basic ideas and hypotheses that are to be explored; reference to the proposed study’s originality in light of current research on the topic; the methodology and/or approach that will be used, and relevance of Yad Vashem Archives to the research.
• Two letters of recommendation from reputable academics who are familiar with the applicant’s work. Recommendation letters should include evaluation of the applicant’s proposed research, as well as the overall quality of the applicant’s work.  
• A scanned copy of the applicant’s diploma or an official letter from the university granting the decree.
• A scanned photo of the applicant.

Submission and Deadline

All application materials may be submitted from September to December 31, 2025. Application materials must be submitted either in Hebrew or English no later than December 31, 2025.
Please submit the application materials as regular email attachments to research.applications@yadvashem.org.il. Do not send materials via a file-sharing or a file-hosting service. Please be attentive to the Research Institute’s confirmation of receipt.

** Fellowship award results will be announced by April 2026 **