Apply

Applications are now open

Key dates
  • Nominations Deadline

    December 2024

  • Applications Deadline

    January 2025

  • Semifinalists Announced

    March 2025

  • Finalists Announced

    April 2025

  • Awardees Announcement

    June 2025

How to Apply

1

Check to see if you’re eligible

Eligibility requirements

Applicants and nominees must be:

  • 13-19 years old by application deadline
  • Identify as Jewish
  • A resident of the United States
  • Volunteering without any compensation
  • Currently serving in a leadership role on a project or initiative that embodies the values of tikkun olam — repairing the world
Project Criteria

To qualify, applications should:

  • Focus on a single project or initiative led by the applicant
  • Demonstrate that the applicant has made a significant and impactful contribution in a leadership role, either in initial project creation or over time
  • Show the project’s measurable impact
  • Provide a clear articulation of an issue area, geographic region, and community that the project serves
  • The project can serve the Jewish community or the broader community
2

Prepare your application

Applicants can draft and save long form answers prior to submitting them online in the fillable, downloadable form found below.

The application consists of several sections, including:

  • Personal information
  • Project information
  • Leadership and tikkun olam
  • The project’s impact
  • Engagement of others
  • Communications, marketing, and outreach
  • The project’s sustainability
  • Supporting attachments (optional)

Applicants will create an account and begin the application process through the online portal. Applicants may return to the application at any time by logging into the online portal.

See application preview >
3

Apply

Complete the application by or before the deadline on January 9, 2025.

  • Applicants will receive an email confirmation message within 24 hours of successfully submitting an application form
  • Applicants will receive status updates as the selection process moves into semifinalist and finalist rounds, in March and April
  • Awardees will be notified in late May
Apply Now Application Deadline January 9, 2025 Applications will open August 2024
A teenage girl helps an elementary-age boy with his homework while sitting at a table outside.

Review and Selection Process

All applications undergo an extensive evaluation process by the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards Review and Selection Committees, which includes over 100 volunteers and leaders from across the country. Reviewers use an evaluation system that focuses on current demonstrated leadership, commitment, and project impact.

Each application is read by multiple evaluators whose scores determine which applications continue to the semifinalist and finalist rounds. Semifinalists are asked to provide status updates on their projects as well as contact information for three references.

The Selection Committee then reviews the finalist applications. Awardees are selected through a committee process in May, and Awardees will be notified in late May.


Benefits of the Award

  • $36,000 that can be applied to the Award recipient’s education or initiative
  • An Awards celebration weekend in San Francisco, including a weekend retreat (shabbaton) with other Award recipients, alumni, and program leadership
  • Connection to a network of fellow changemakers and leaders
  • Media opportunities to elevate visibility for the Awardee’s project
  • Ongoing support and guidance from Awards leadership to strengthen your impact