AJC Student Advocacy Fellowship: Frequently Asked Questions
The AJC Student Advocacy Fellowship is a year-long exclusive program that gives you what student leaders need: practical frameworks for proactive advocacy and crisis response, mentorship from professionals who do this work daily, and a trusted cohort who gets it. Find the answers to your most pressing questions below.
What is the program duration?
May 2026 – June 2027 (14 months)
What are the three tracks?
Track 1 – LFT Alumni Fellowship
For graduates of AJC’s Leadership for Tomorrow (LFT) high school program who are now college students, ready to take the next step in their Jewish advocacy journey and strategically impact their campus.
Track 2 – Greek Life Leadership Fellowship
For leaders in Jewish fraternities and sororities committed to strengthening Jewish identity within Greek life and leveraging Greek life to educate about Jewish identity and antisemitism.
Track 3 – Global Jewish Leadership Fellowship
For exceptional students from around the world interested in cross-cultural Jewish leadership using a global lens to inform Jewish advocacy.
What’s covered in the curriculum?
Track 1: LFT Alumni Fellowship
- Focus: Building on Leadership for Tomorrow (LFT) foundations with advanced frameworks for sustained campus impact.
- Core topics: Personal resilience for activists; institutional response strategies; campus advocacy competencies (coalitions, media, policy); digital advocacy; Israel education frameworks; leadership succession planning.
- January Washington, D.C. Intensive: Policy briefings, Capitol Hill preparation, media training, and advanced advocacy workshops.
Track 2: Greek Life Leadership Fellowship
- Focus: Designed specifically for Greek life contexts, built from the ground up for fraternity and sorority leadership.
- Core topics: Navigating Jewish identity in Greek life, designing Jewish programming for chapters, addressing antisemitism in Greek spaces, Israel advocacy for Greek contexts, coalition building, leveraging leadership positions, and crisis management.
- January Washington, D.C. Intensive: Policy training plus Greek life-specific workshops with national fraternity/sorority leadership.
Track 3: Global Jewish Leadership Fellowship
- Focus: Cross-cultural competence is as fundamental as content knowledge. Cohort diversity is an essential component of the curriculum.
- Core topics: Global Jewish peoplehood, antisemitism across regional contexts, Israel-Diaspora relations, AJC's international operations, interreligious coalition-building, digital advocacy across cultures, and community building.
- February International Intensive (5-7 days): An immersive program at a major European Jewish heritage site (location may include Warsaw, Berlin, or Prague, confirmed upon acceptance). Includes Jewish heritage tours, Holocaust education, AJC regional office engagement, contemporary community meetings, Shabbat with local community, skills workshops, crisis simulation, and cultural exchange.
Who should apply?
Track 1 (LFT Alumni): LFT alumni currently enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students who are active in campus Jewish life or student leadership.
Track 2 (Greek Life): Active members of Jewish fraternities and sororities who hold or aspire to chapter leadership positions.
Track 3 (Global): University students from any country who demonstrate commitment to Jewish advocacy and can commit to monthly virtual sessions AND one required week-long international intensive (all expenses covered).
We seek students who:
- Are actively engaged in their communities
- Have witnessed or experienced antisemitism and seek effective response strategies
- Show genuine dedication to improving campus environments for Jewish students
- Can realistically fulfill year-long program requirements
- Value substantive dialogue about complex challenges
We’re looking for commitment, not credentials. We value curiosity, engagement, and willingness to grapple with complexity more than resumes or affiliations.
What’s the time commitment?
Total commitment: Approximately 60–65 hours across the full year
- 9-10 monthly virtual workshops (90 minutes each)
- 9 monthly mentor meetings (60 minutes each)
- Between-session reading and assignments (~1 hour/month)
- Required in-person gatherings (see below)
In-person gatherings:
- All tracks: AJC Global Forum in Washington, D.C. (May/June 2026 and 2027)
- Tracks 1 & 2: Washington, D.C. Leadership Intensive (January 31-February 2, 2027)
- Track 3: International Leadership Intensive in Europe (late February 2027, 5-7 days)
The AJC Student Advocacy Fellowship is welcoming to Jews of all types of religious observance. Food at in-person gatherings in the United States will be kosher. Outside of the United States, kosher food can be more difficult to arrange, but we will ensure that kosher options are available at all gatherings. Any in-person gathering that takes place on shabbat will incorporate shabbat rituals for those who want and need them, and all activities will be shabbat observance-friendly.
How much does this cost?
The fellowship is fully funded with zero cost to fellows.
AJC covers all program expenses: travel, lodging, meals, and full conference registration.
Fellows are only responsible for:
- Local transportation to/from airport (typically minimal)
- Personal expenses during free time
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Financial barriers? If costs create genuine hardship, contact [email protected]. We work with strong candidates to identify solutions. Financial circumstances should not prevent participation.
How do I apply?
Timeline:
- March 4: Applications open
- April 10, 11:59 p.m. ET: Deadline
- April 15-17: Interviews (selected candidates)
- April 18-20: Final selection
- April 21: All applicants notified
- We are no longer accepting applications for 2026-2027
I’m uncertain about my qualifications. Should I apply?
Yes. If you’re actively engaged in your college/university community, have witnessed antisemitism, and are committed to investing the time, apply.
What if I can’t attend an in-person gathering?
In-person gatherings are essential and required. Cohort development, workshops, and relationship-building cannot be replicated virtually.
If you face genuine conflicts (such as required academic obligations, financial hardship, or visa complications), explain them in your application. Staff reviews on a case-by-case basis. But plan to attend all gatherings.
What if I miss a virtual session?
The expectation is that all fellows will attend at least 85% of the sessions live (7+ of 9 sessions). Cohort relationships grow in live sessions. Recordings provide content but can't replicate real-time community building. We understand that occasionally, attendance will not be possible, so all sessions are recorded and posted within 24 hours. If you are unable to attend a session in person, you can watch asynchronously and engage through WhatsApp. Consistent absence will prompt staff outreach.
What happens after the fellowship?
Immediate opportunities:
- Join AJC ACCESS Network (young professionals 22-40)
- Alumni WhatsApp community and annual reunions
- Serve as peer mentors for future cohorts (with $500 stipend)
- Professional references from AJC leadership
Ongoing engagement:
- Connection to AJC regional offices
- ACCESS chapter events and policy briefings
- Speaking opportunities at AJC programs
- Priority consideration for AJC internships/positions
Can I reapply if I am not selected?
Yes. We strongly encourage reapplication. Each year’s application is reviewed independently.
Track 2 Specific Questions
What if I’m the only Jewish member in my chapter?
This track is designed precisely for this situation. You'll join a cohort that understands this experience. Learn from mentors who navigated being the sole Jewish representatives. Receive tools to educate non-Jewish members and build Jewish presence where it doesn’t exist.
My chapter isn’t a Jewish fraternity/sorority. Can I apply?
Track 2 is designed for members of fraternities and sororities with Jewish founding or significant Jewish membership. If you’re in another Greek organization but interested, contact [email protected] with the subject line 'Track 2 Eligibility Question.'
Questions?
Email: [email protected]
