“I have a dream, that every Jew will visit Jerusalem at least once. I believe we must set a goal that every young Jew will live here at least one year during their lifetime.”
(Prime Minister Ariel Sharon UJC General Assembly, November 2003)

What is MASA? 
MASA is Hebrew for "Journey," and MASA´s vision is that every year, more and more young Jews from around the world will start their journey with a semester or year in Israel, exploring the land, experiencing its culture, growing and learning together as they enter the global community.To make this vision a reality, MASA is working to create the conditions that will enable thousands of young adults from the around the world to participate in long term programs in Israel each yearMASA hopes that when young Jews will think about their life´s journey, they will think about our "Journey" to Israel -- MASA. 

MASA - Scholarships to Israel
The innovative MASA project is a joint initiative of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel.
The MASA scholarship is an individual means-tested scholarship provided to anyone between the ages of 18 and 30 (17 if the participant is a high school graduate) who wants to spend at least five months in Israel on an approved program. There are over 100 programs to choose from, all of which are held to the highest professional standards and follow educational standards set by MASA. Many programs are also accredited and recognised by universities worldwide, although each program should be individually assessed directly with the participant’s own university. 

MASA sets educational standards for all of its approved programs. MASA programs offer the following components: 

• Hebrew study 
• Learning about Zionism – past, present and future 
• Touring the land, getting to know Israeli society and culture 
• Involvement, volunteerism and contributing to Israeli society 
• Meaningful and creative encounters with young Israelis 
• A process of personal empowerment

The ZFNZ is proud to be the local representative for all matters relating to MASA.

Long Term Programmes
All applications for long-term programs must fill out the Masa Scholarship application form from the MASA website. This form must be completed & sent to the Federation by the 20th of the month, two months prior to the commencement of your program. The Federation requires three copies of this application form to be sent to us. Please download the Application Form here. 

Extra Financial Assistance
If you require funding assistance in addition to the MASA scholarship, please download and fill out the Erman Trust application here.

Processing Fee
The ZFNZ requires a $50 NZD processing fee. This is for administrative costs of processing the application between Australia & Israel.

Frequently asked questions

1. Are all long term programs included in MASA?
   No. In addition to providing funding for programs, MASA also does educational quality control and sets both educational and other standards for all of the programs that it approves.  A MASA program must meet these standards that include the components mentioned above as well as other standards.
2. How does MASA determine the level of scholarship that each applicant will receive?
   MASA scholarships are needs-based. The amount that you receive depends on your family income.  In cases in which your family´s income is very high, you will not be eligible for a scholarship.  In cases in which your family income is very low, you will probably be eligible for a significant scholarship of up to US$10,000 on a strictly means-tested basis for a MASA-approved year program (up to US$5,000 for a MASA-approved five month program). In general most people with average family incomes will be eligible for a grant of US$2,500 for a MASA-approved year program (US$1,250 for a MASA- approved five month program) according to basic criteria and proof that one´s income does not exceed a certain level. The Zionist Federation of New Zealand, its officers, employees, representatives and affiliates makes no express or implied representations or warranties as to the level of scholarship ultimately granted.
3. I did Taglit-birthright Israel last year.  Am I still eligible for a MASA scholarship?
   Yes, you are.  Participation in Taglit-birthright Israel or any other program does not influence your eligibility for MASA.
4. Can the MASA scholarship cover the entire cost of my program? 
   No.  Even if you are eligible to receive a full scholarship, you are still personally responsible to pay a minimum of 5% of the program price.
5. I received a scholarship from another source.  Can I still apply for a MASA scholarship? 
   Yes.  Since the MASA scholarship does not cover the entire cost of the program, you are welcome to utilise other sources as well. Receiving a scholarship from another source will not affect your eligibility for MASA funding in any way, as long as the total aid that you receive does not exceed the cost of the program.
6. I don´t have five months to do a long term program.  Is there any way to get MASA funding for a shorter program? 
   No, unfortunately MASA only provides scholarships for approved programs of five months or more. 
7. My family´s income is average, however due to an illness in the family we have had extraordinary expenses in the last year.  How does that affect the amount I will receive from MASA?
   In general, MASA scholarships are allocated according to family income only.  However, MASA does have an "exceptions committee" that reviews and considers special cases such as the one that you mentioned. You will need to provide documentation regarding your situation and submit a special request.
8. I graduated university last year, and since then I have been working and supporting myself.  Will my eligibility for a MASA scholarship be determined by my own income or by that of my parents? 
   If you can provide documentation that you are no longer a dependent of your parents then your eligibility will take into account your own income and not just your parents´.
9. If, for whatever reason, I leave my program midway, what happens to the MASA scholarship provided? 
   The first part of the application form is a declaration, which you must sign.  In it, it is stated that the applicant is aware of the fact that if s/he leaves the program early (for various reasons), s/he will have to return part of the scholarship awarded to him/her, according to the decision of the Scholarship Committee which decides on these things according to each individual case. If you are on a five months program and leave early you will forfeit the entire scholarship, as the minimum program for a scholarship is a five months program and not less.

Short Term Program Funding Assistance

If you require financial assistance for a short-term program please download and fill out the Erman Trust Application above.

AUJS Programs

If you interested in a Taglit-Birthright short-term program or a long-term program with AUJS you need to contact Osnat Dvorkin, the national coordinator for AUJS programs. Please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Contact Details

Website: http://www.masaisrael.org