APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort open on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 10:00 AM EST. The application deadline is Thursday, January 16, 2025 by 5:00 PM EST.
Our projected program dates are Monday, August 4, 2025 – Thursday, May 28, 2026 (subject to change).
If you would like to learn more about the application process, please contact DFI Associate Director Jacob Levkowicz. Please note that these conversations are purely informational and have no bearing on your candidacy.
Selection Criteria: What makes for a successful Dorot Fellow and Alum?
The Dorot Fellowship in Israel is the beginning of a life-long relationship between a Dorot Fellow and the Dorot Foundation. As such, we have identified a set of qualities that we hope can be found in candidates, current fellows, as well as in our alumni community. While each criterion is relevant throughout this lifelong relationship, there are particular times when these criteria will be most required.
Ability to deal with challenge
- Has the candidate demonstrated a history of persistence, resilience, hard work, and accomplishment?
- Has the candidate demonstrated a sense of openness and desire for personal/character development as well as a willingness to participate in personal exploration?
High measure of Emotional Intelligence
- Does the candidate demonstrate a high level of self-awareness?
- When reflecting on group experience, has the candidate demonstrated a high level of self-management and relationship management?
Social Change Agent with both the ability to and compulsion to exercise leadership
- Does the candidate seem ready to make the best use of this opportunity?
- Has the candidate shown initiative to challenge/change the status quo?
- Does the candidate have a track record of taking action and using creativity to solve problems?
Eagerness to learn/grow
- Does the candidate express an openness to, or a track record of, being influenced and to being challenged by both peers and educators?
- Does the candidate have a track record of taking on positive risk?
Eagerness to add value to and draw value from DFI community
- Does the candidate possess a strong level of intelligence and depth of experience?
- Does the candidate express themselves and reflect on their experiences with maturity?
- Does the candidate have a track record of influencing others around them?
- Does the candidate have life experiences and/or perspectives that are likely to add diversity to the DFI fellowship group?
Application Stages
Pre-Application Questionnaire
The pre-application questionnaire helps determine whether the DFI is a good fit. Answers have no bearing upon one’s candidacy.
Written Application
The goal of the written application, video submission, and the sharing of one’s leadership experience is to provide the DFI Interviewer(s) with important information about each candidate. The more one shares about oneself, the more the Interviewer(s) can accurately assess one’s candidacy.
The essays are one piece of an applicant’s candidacy, which we consider alongside interviews and recommendations. We recognize that long-form writing is not everyone’s preferred method of communication; as such, we offer the opportunity to share more about yourself through video, short answer questions, and when relevant, creative endeavors.
Candidates will be asked to provide the names, telephone numbers and email addresses of three individuals who might be contacted by Dorot for a recommendation on their behalf. Information may also be gathered from internet searches and via conversations with individuals to whom candidates are known (though not necessarily identified by candidates as references).
Repeat candidates must complete a new application each time one applies for the DFI.
Interviews
Round One and Two Interviews are conducted by a DFI alum.
All interview rounds are conducted over Zoom. Phone interviews will be possible at the discretion of the DFI Director.
Round One Interview
All candidates will receive a Round One Interview, provided they meet the DFI’s eligibility requirements.
Round Two Interview
All Round One Candidates will be notified as to whether they have qualified for a Round Two Interview.
Finalist Interview
All Round Two Candidates will be notified as to whether or not they have qualified for a Finalist Interview. Finalist Interviews are conducted by DFI Staff and Alumni.
Complete 2025-2026 Application Timeline
January 16, 2025: Application Deadline
January 23, 2025: First Round Interview Notification
February 10, 2025: Second Round Interview Notification
March 17, 2025: Finalist Interview Notification
March 25-April 3, 2025: Finalist Interviews
April 21, 2025: Acceptance Notification
May 6, 2025: Alternate Notification
The DFI, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to suspend and/or cancel the Application Process and Fellowship.