Saul Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies

Claims Conference Kagan Fellowships are available for doctoral and post-doctoral candidates around the world conducting Holocaust-related research.

Each year, the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) offers fellowships for doctoral and post-doctoral candidates around the world conducting newly uncovered archival Holocaust research.

Through the Saul Kagan Fellowship in Advanced Shoah Studies, the Claims Conference supports Ph.D. and Post-doctoral candidates pursuing advanced study of Jews who were systematically targeted for destruction or persecution by the Nazis and their allies between 1933 and 1945 (and immediate post-war). Supported research can include: the immediate historical context in which the Holocaust took place; political, economic, legal, religious or socio-cultural aspects; ethical and moral implications; or other related, relevant topics. Read about past fellows and their research.

Kagan Fellowships are awarded to outstanding candidates around the world who exhibit strong personal commitment to Holocaust research, demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, and possess the potential to provide outstanding professional leadership that will shape the future of Holocaust scholarship.  Candidates can be studying the fields of History, Sociology, Jewish Studies, Political Science, Philosophy, Theology, Women’s Studies and others.  Other than attending the summer week-long conference (see below), there is no residency requirement.

Stipend Information

Ph.D. and Post-doctoral Fellows receive a maximum of $30,000 per academic year. Funding can be renewed for a second consecutive year at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. For Ph.D. candidates, please note that stipends cannot go toward tuition, and the Kagan Fellowship will only be awarded to those who have received funding for tuition from their university or another institution.

Cohorts

Every group of applicants accepted into the Fellowships program comprises a cohort of Fellows for that academic year. Kagan Fellowships are awarded each spring to Ph.D. and Post-doc candidates around the world. Fellows receive their stipends each fall and spring of their funding year.

The Summer Workshop

In 2010, a component was initiated that has rapidly become a hallmark of the Kagan Fellowship program: an academic workshop week held annually in the summer, alternating between the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem. At the summer workshop, each fellow presents current research and work in progress, and responds to questions from peers and veteran scholars. This opportunity allows Kagan Fellows to join the ranks of international presenters in prestigious, academically competitive settings and affords them substantial interaction with senior scholars in the field.  All Fellows, including newly admitted, first and second year (renewed) Fellows are invited.  First and second year Fellows are required to present their research. Kagan Fellowship alumni are also invited to attend. The workshop includes ample time to spend at museum archives.

The Claims Conference covers all of the expenses related to travel and lodging for the summer workshop for all Fellows.  (Some exceptions may apply.)

Read more about the summer workshop.

Fellows agree that the Kagan Fellowship overall provides them with the distinctive opportunity to focus solely on their research, and lays the foundation for development and advancement in professional and academic Holocaust research and teaching careers.

We encourage all applicants, regardless of citizenship, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or disability. The Kagan Fellowship program honors the admissions policies of participating educational institutions.

For questions, please contact Joanna.Sliwa@claimscon.org. For information on the application process, click on the ‘Apply’ tab in the dropdown menu located at the top right of the page.