The Harry C. Sigman Graduate Fellowship is awarded to an outstanding UCLA graduate student with a scholarly interest in the field of Israel Studies. The fellow serves as a research assistant, primarily carrying out research for the Center director, and also assists with the Nazarian Center’s bi-annual publication, Currents: Briefs on Contemporary Israel, and with organizing the annual Undergraduate Scholars Conference in Israel Studies. The Sigman Graduate Fellowship is made possible through a major endowment gift from the estate of Harry C. Sigman, a longtime Los Angeles attorney and UCLA alumnus.
Fellowship Award: $8,000 per academic year
Award Period: One academic year; possibility of renewing for a second year
2024-25 Fellowship Application Dates:
Applications Accepted Beginning: Monday, April 1, 2024 Applications Due: Sunday, June 2, 2024 Applicants Notified By: Monday, June 17, 2024
Who Should Apply: • Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate program at UCLA, with preference given to first or second year Ph.D. students. • The Center welcomes applications from graduate students in a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to history, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, literature, visual and performing arts.
To Apply: Applicants should complete the electronic fellowship application by the above date indicated. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Guidelines: Materials required to complete the application include: • Current Curriculum Vitae • Transcript – unofficial is accepted • Description of research interests related to modern Israel (800 word limit). • Letters of recommendation (2) – Applicants must provide the names and contact information of the recommenders in the online application; once the application has been submitted, the recommenders will receive automated emails from the system, instructing them where and how to upload their recommendations. Applicants should therefore ensure they submit the application as early as possible.
Sigman Fellowship Terms and Conditions:
Recipients must agree to the following:
• Participate in the Nazarian Center’s monthly research seminar. • Assist in organizing the Center’s annual Undergraduate Scholars Conference in Israel Studies (e.g., review abstracts, organize panels and serve as a panel moderator/discussant; review papers and help in judging.) • Assist, as needed, with the production of the Center’s flagship publication Currents: Briefs on Contemporary Israel (e.g., review submissions, proofread texts). • Acknowledge the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies in any conference presentations or publications made possible as a result of fellowship support, and inform the Center of these in a timely manner. • UCLA Graduate Council has established a policy of Maximum Limit on the total amount of support a graduate student may receive. In addition, certain grants are incompatible and may not be held concurrently. You must inform the Y&S Nazarian Center in writing and obtain approval to combine several funding sources before accepting this award.
For more information about the fellowship and application process, please contact the center's Academics and Research Program Coordinator, Avery Weinman, at averyweinman@ucla.edu.