Israel Quest

Israel Quest

Applications for Israel Quest are now closed.

Israel Quest (IQ) is rooted in the guiding principle that participation in a substantive peer-based Israel experience during a teen’s formative years can build a strong and lasting Jewish identity in the hearts and minds of our youth. The IQ grant program is funded and administered by the Jewish Community Foundation and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. IQ is not a trip provider.

For information about the next round of grants, contact IsraelQuest@shalomdc.org or call 301-348-7386.

Funding Guidelines

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Identify as Jewish and reside in the Greater Washington area.
  2. Travel during 9th – 12th grades or summers immediately thereafter (Year-course programs after high school graduation and programs beginning in the fall following 12th grade are not eligible.)
  3. Select an Israel trip that is a teen peer program and that qualifies based on the current guidelines for Israel Quest grants. (Family, day school, and congregational trips are not eligible for Israel Quest funding.)
  4. Have not received Israel Quest funding for travel to Israel before. (Funding is once per teen, not once per family.
  5. Indicate in the application that an Israel Quest grant is financially required and would have a significant impact on their ability and decision to send their teen on the selected trip to Israel.

 IQ will award grants for 2024-2025 as follows:

  • $1,000: 3 weeks in Israel
  • $1,850: 4 to 5 weeks in Israel
  • $2,250: 6-13 weeks in Israel
  • $3,000: 14+ weeks in Israel

The amount of the Israel Quest grant may not exceed 30% of the total trip price. Weeks are defined as 7 days on the ground in Israel, not the full length of a trip for those that include other destinations, or air travel time between destinations. Teen trips are eligible if they offer a minimum of 21 days in Israel and are for high school students only.

Applicants are encouraged to contact other organizations (e.g. congregations, youth groups, trip providers, and camps) to inquire about additional/alternative financial assistance. Israel Quest grant funding will not exceed the cost of an Israel trip.

There is a limited amount of Israel Quest funding available.
We encourage you to submit the Israel Quest grant application online as soon as possible to secure your grant. The final date to submit an application is Tuesday, April 1, 2025.  Applications are rolling and grants are administered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Incomplete and non-submitted applications will not be considered for funding. Funds are limited and not all applicants may receive funding.

Applications close on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

+ What is Israel Quest?

Israel Quest is a need-based grant program that strives to enhance a teen’s connection to the Jewish community, Israel, and other Jewish teens. Israel Quest encourages teens to stay engaged through Jewish education and social programming to build this connection. Israel Quest provides funding to teens who meet the required criteria for trips that meet the guidelines set by Israel Quest (at the time of the trip). Israel Quest is not a trip provider.

+ What are the guidelines of an approved Israel trip?

Approved Israel trips are those that meet the current guidelines for Israel Quest at the time a teen is ready to travel to Israel: (1) teen trips must provide a formative Jewish identity educational experience with significant travel throughout the country; (2) the itinerary and activities of qualifying programs must offer participants a well-rounded exposure to the land, its cities, history and historic sites, society, and culture; (3) a trip may include other destinations in addition to spending specified time in Israel; however, only trips with a minimum of 21 days spent in Israel qualify for funding; and (4) family, day school, and congregational family trips are not approved trips.

+ What is the deadline to apply for Israel Quest funding?

The deadline to apply for an IQ grant is Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Applications are rolling and grants are administered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Funds are limited; we encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible to secure your grant before all funds are awarded.

+ Do all Israel Quest applicants receive funding?

Teens can apply for funding under the Israel Quest grant eligibility criteria for that program year. However, funds are limited and we strongly recommend you submit an IQ grant application early. Once all the funding has been awarded, additional Israel Quest grant applicants will not be able to receive funding.

+ Previously funded trips include:

Approved Israel trips are those that meet the current guidelines for Israel Quest at the time a teen is ready to travel to Israel. Teen trips must provide a formative Jewish identity educational experience with significant travel throughout the country. The itinerary and activities of qualifying programs must offer participants a well-rounded exposure to the land, its cities, history and historic sites, society and culture. A trip may include other destinations in addition to spending specified time in Israel, however only days spent in Israel qualify for funding. Family, day school and congregational family trips are not approved trips.

Trips funded last year include:

NCSY Hatzalah Rescue
BBYO ILSI – International leadership Seminar in Israel
Emma Kaufman Camp SIT Israel Experience
NCSY Euro 4G 2023
NCSY TJJ AP
NCSY Next Step
Mach Hach BaAretz
NCSY Israel ID
Ramah Seminar
Camp Harlam/NFTY in Israel
Michlelet NCSY
NFTY L’dor Vador National Session 1
NFTY ADVENTURE – ISRAEL
NCSY Kollel
NCSY Next Step + Kollel
Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim
URJ Heller High School in Israel
Havayah Israel
Camp Yavneh Na’aleh
Alexander Muss High School in Israel

+ How does a teen (and his/her parent/guardian) apply for an Israel Quest grant?

The Israel Quest grant application can be found here, or by contacting The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington at 301-348-7386 or israelquest@shalomdc.org.

+ When can teens travel to Israel using Israel Quest funding?

Israel Quest funding can be used during 9th – 12th grade or the summer thereafter. Year-course programs after high school graduation and programs beginning in the fall following 12th grade are not eligible.

+ If I have been to Israel before, can I still receive Israel Quest funding?

Yes, Israel Quest funding may be available to local Jewish teens regardless of prior travel to Israel. However, a teen can only use Israel Quest funding one time. Funding is once per teen, not once per family.

+ How can Jewish day school students receive Israel Quest funding?

Students who attend Jewish day school are eligible to receive IQ funding for travel to Israel providing it’s not a trip that is part of the academic curriculum (e.g., CESJDS’s semester trip) and that meets the trip guidelines.

+ What if my trip is cancelled due to the ongoing crisis or for any other unanticipated reason?

In the event your trip is canceled, you are expected to cooperate, if needed, to secure a refund from the trip provider back to Federation. Afterwards, you may reapply for IQ funding if you are able to secure a new trip for the 2025 summer that is similar in nature and length. Funds may not be designated for a future summer trip.

+ If I leave the trip early or if I withdraw for any reason or are discharged from an Israel trip, what are my responsibilities?

If you withdraw from or leave the trip early for any reason, or if you are discharged from the trip, Israel Quest must be notified immediately. Please email us or call 301-348-7386. Please note that Israel Quest funding you have already received must be reimbursed to the Jewish Community Foundation. It is your and your family’s responsibility to work with the trip provider to ensure all funds are returned in a timely manner so that Israel Quest funding is available to other applicants.

+ Is Federation responsible for conducting the trip?

Federation is not responsible for conducting or managing the trip arrangements or providing oversight. Its role is solely to offer IQ funding.

+ How does my grant get paid out?

Once your application has been approved and we have received your signed liability waiver, Federation will send the funds directly to your trip provider. Please submit your application at least a month prior to when the final payment is due by your trip provider to allow time for payment processing and timely payment to your trip provider. Otherwise, you may incur additional charges from your trip provider, to cover the delayed funds.

Questions? Contact IsraelQuest@shalomdc.org or call 301-348-7386.