Israel & Overseas

Get There!
Israel Travel Grants

Work, Study or Volunteer in Israel

Get There! offers grants to help Jewish Detroiters ages 13–28 experience Israel in meaningful, life-changing ways. With grants of up to $10,000, Get There! can help cover costs for gap year programs, college and yeshivah study, volunteering, internships, and other qualifying opportunities. Supported by the Ben Teitel Israel and Overseas Teen Travel Fund and the Joseph & Rebecca Friedman Memorial Scholarship, both needs-based and incentive grants are available.

Ready to begin? The Grant descriptions are listed below, and the application process is completely online. Use the links to access the portal and manage everything in one convenient place. Questions? Contact Aaron Poris at aporis@jewishdetroit.org.

Get There! offers two types of grants: Incentive Grants and Need-Based Grants. You may apply for either one if you qualify, but cannot receive both. Please review the eligibility requirements below.

Incentive Grant

Trips up to 42 days: $1,250*

Trips from 43 days to 12 months: $1,750*

*Amounts are subject to funding availability.

Jewish resident of metropolitan Detroit (Oakland, Macomb, Wayne counties)

Ages 13–26

First-time organized peer trip or educational program

Program duration: one year or less

Must be a recognized Israel or overseas program approved by Federation’s Israel & Overseas Department

Not eligible: JFD-subsidized trips (Taglit Birthright Israel, NEXTGen Detroit, Teen Mission) or previous Get There! recipients. Programs offered by out‑of‑state schools that include a trip to Israel are also not eligible for Incentive Grant funding.

Applications may be considered for longer trips, repeat participants, and applicants up to age 28, subject to funding availability.

Please allow 4–12 weeks for scholarship approval. Expected response times:

Applications received Dec 2 – Mar 1: hear by Apr 1

Mar 2 – Jun 1: hear by Jul 1

Jun 2 – Sep 1: hear by Oct 1

Sep 2 – Dec 1: hear by Jan 1

Apply Here

Supported by the Ben Teitel Israel & Overseas Teen Travel Fund and the Joseph & Rebecca Friedman Memorial Scholarship.

Need-Based Grant

Up to $10,000* based on individual circumstances

Jewish resident of metropolitan Detroit (Oakland, Macomb, Wayne counties)

Ages 13–28

Program must provide a Jewish educational experience (not limited to first-time Israel travel)

Internships and volunteer programs do not qualify; see Incentive Grant for those options

Program duration: one year or less

Must be a recognized Israel or overseas program approved by Federation’s Israel & Overseas Department

Proven financial need: Applicants must submit a Personal Financial Statement and recent tax forms (1040s and applicable schedules). Consideration may be given to extenuating circumstances.

Not eligible: Taglit-Birthright Israel or previous Get There! recipients

Applications for Needs-Based Grants are reviewed—and grants awarded—twice each year: 

  • Mid-January Review: Applications must be submitted by January 1 
  • Mid-July Review: Applications must be submitted by July 1 

Important: 
Applications will not be reviewed retroactively. If a student has already departed for their program, the application cannot be considered. To be eligible, all application materials must be submitted before departure and in time for the review cycle that precedes travel. 

Apply Here

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Beyond Get There! Travel Grants, our partner agency Hebrew Free Loan (HFL) can help too—offering interest-free loans up to $10,000 to make your Israel experience possible. Learn more here.