Minnesota Norway Education (MINNE*) Israel & Holocaust Fellowship

MINNE (Minnesota Norway Education Israel & Holocaust Fellowship) means memory in Norwegian. MINNE fellowships support college students beyond the Jewish faith as they gain in-depth knowledge of the Holocaust and of Israel. Fellowship recipients travel to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) and then have the opportunity to travel to Israel.

Scholarship details at a glance:

Offered to: registered, full-time students:

  • Augsburg University
  • St. Olaf College
  • University of Minnesota
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • St. Thomas University
  • Concordia College
  • Luther College

Students Must:

  • Be a sophomore or above
  • Have at least a 3.0 grade point level
Previous participants are not eligible
Holocaust Education:
  • Tuesday April 8, 2025. TRIP TO THE U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM in Washington, D.C. with the JCRC.
  • Following this trip, participating students will be asked to either participate in a community program or host a program (with guidance and support from the Israel Center and the JCRC)
Israel Education:
  • Students who have participated in the Holocaust education portion will be referred to a program taking students on a free 10-day visit to Israel to learn about the country, its history, culture, and society. If accepted to this program, MINNE will cover national airfare. The program covers the other costs of the trip. Learn more about the trip, the Jewish National Fund Caravan for Democracy.

Important Dates: 

  • Deadline for application submissions is February 3, 2025 at 9PM.
  • Selected students will be notified of award by February 24, 2025.

Click Here to Apply!

About The MINNE

The MINNE Fellowships program was created due to the generosity of Peder Alfred Friiso (1919-2014) of Norway. He was a kind man of strong Christian convictions who was deeply affected by the crimes perpetrated by the Nazis and their collaborators, including Norwegians. He also had a love for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Upon his death, he made a bequest to fund a program that would help Israel and also educate about the Holocaust. He asked his nephew Geir Friiso of Minneapolis to find a way to make his desire become reality. The MINNE Fellowships program was established to honor his wish.

By creating the MINNE Fellowship, Geir believes that his uncle would appreciate that it will foster greater understanding between peoples and provide an education that will touch many lives.