Who is eligible to apply to become a Tikvah Scholar?
Tikvah Scholars are current 10th, 11th and 12th graders attending Jewish day schools, public schools, independent schools, community schools, charter schools, and are homeschooled. We welcome applicants from all parts of the Jewish community, no matter their educational backgrounds.
Where will the program be?
Somers, CT, hosted in cooperation with Hillsdale College at the Blake Center for Faith and Freedom.
How many Tikvah Scholars Institutes will there be in Summer 2026?
There are 3 Tikvah Scholars Institutes for Summer 2026 – intensive 5 day programs focused on specific subjects. If you are interested in further Tikvah programming this summer, we encourage you to apply to our flagship Tikvah Scholars Program at Princeton and/or Tikvah Scholars Israel Institute.
How much does it cost to attend the Tikvah Scholars Institute?
Tuition this summer is $1,095. Tuition helps cover the cost of seminars, books, and food. All other onsite program expenses, including housing, are fully subsidized by Tikvah.
Full and partial need-based tuition scholarships are available. Students will have the opportunity to apply for need-based scholarships upon acceptance to the program. No student will be turned away because of need.
What are the rooming and religious arrangements?
Students will be housed a short walk from a space that will have a traditional mehitza minyan (prayers with separate seating for men and women) and an alternative arrangement in the form of a serious text study. Prayers and text study will meet three times daily. Delicious kosher meals will be provided throughout the program summer for participants.
The program will be conducted in accord with halakhic standards of behavior.
Do I need to have a Jewish studies background to participate in the program?
No. While many of our participants attend Jewish day schools or yeshivot, the program’s course flexibility means that an intensive Jewish studies background is not necessary to participate. We will be able to assist you in crafting your experience in a way that is appropriate to your background.
About 50 percent of our students attend Jewish day schools, and 50 percent attend public schools, independent private schools, community schools, charter schools, and are homeschooled.
Do I need to observe Jewish laws to participate in the program?
No. We have as an expectation that all students uphold the laws of kashrut, and modest behavior in all public spaces over the course of the program.
Is there transportation to the program?
Families are responsible for covering the cost of transportation to Bradley International Airport (BDL) or The Blake Center for Faith and Freedom. Tikvah will provide a complimentary bus between Somers, CT and the airport. Once accepted, Tikvah will strive to provide additional options for reasonable travel arrangements. Students are welcome to arrange their own transportation to Somers, CT if a bus from Bradley International Airport is not convenient.
What does a day at the program look like?
Although the central features of every day are the seminars, a variety of extracurricular activities and excursions are also scheduled throughout the program.
Is there a way to find out if I will get in early?
All students will be notified if they are finalists by late February and will receive further information at that time regarding an interview with a member of the selection committee. Final decisions will be delivered in March.
What qualities define a Tikvah Scholar?
We seek intellectually curious students who want to make a difference in the world. They should be willing to grapple with big questions and be ready for vigorous but respectful debate.
Tikvah Scholars, and students in Tikvah programs more generally, are not merely with us for the duration of the program. Tikvah Scholars alumni will have access to mentoring opportunities, alumni networking, follow-up career opportunities, and educational programming though our Tikvah Alumni Network.
