The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization. Since 1914, JDC has exemplified that all Jews are responsible for one another and for improving the well-being of vulnerable people around the world. Today, JDC works in more than 70 countries and in Israel to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief and long-term development support for victims of natural and man-made disasters.

The JDC Archives documents the activities of the organization, from its inception in 1914 to the present. The repository houses one of the most significant collections in the world for the study of modern Jewish history. Comprising the organizational records of JDC, the overseas rescue, relief, and rehabilitation arm of the American Jewish community, the archives includes over three miles of text documents; 150,000 photographs; 1,100 audio recordings, including oral histories, historic speeches, and broadcasts; and 1,300 video recordings. JDC’s historic films comprise another invaluable resource, ranging from the late 1920s to 1979.

Fellowship Program

The JDC Archives is pleased to present its Fellowship program. Up to six fellowships will be awarded each year to deserving scholars engaged in graduate level, post-doctoral, or independent study to conduct research in the JDC Archives. Research topics in the fields of twentieth century Jewish history, general history, and humanitarian assistance will be considered, as well as other areas of academic research covered in the JDC archival collections.

Fellowship holders agree to deliver a public presentation on their research.

Available Fellowship Opportunities:

• The Fred and Ellen Lewis JDC Archives Fellowships
• The Ruth and David Musher JDC Archives Fellowship
• The Sorrell and Lorraine Chesin JDC Archives Fellowship
• The Max and Cecil (Steuer) Chesin JDC Archives Fellowship
• The Nathan & Sarah Chesin and Bernard & Mollie Steuer JDC Archives Fellowships

The following fellowships are no longer offered:

• The Ruth and David Musher JDC Archives Regional Fellowship
• The Martin and Rhoda Safer JDC Archives Fellowship

Selection of Fellows

Applications for 2025 are now closed; the application process for 2026 will open in the fall. An Advisory Committee consisting of leading scholars and members of the JDC Archives Committee will be responsible for selecting the fellows.

To Apply

Applications for 2025 are now closed. Links to the application and reference forms will be available when the application process for 2026 opens in Fall 2025.

Please access the JDC Archives’ finding aids here.

Titles and descriptive information for JDC films and videos relating to your topic can be obtained by submitting an AV research request here.

Please view a list of previously awarded fellows here.

For more information, please contact us.

Documentary Film Grant

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee established the JDC Archives Documentary Film Grant in 2017 and, through 2021, awarded an annual grant to a filmmaker for a documentary film that drew on the JDC Archival collections.

While the grant has been discontinued, filmmakers are encouraged to click here to explore our historic film, video, and audio collection.

Please view a list of documentary film grantees here.