Miriam Gelfand Scholarship and Translation Awards
The Miriam Gelfand Scholarship stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Professor Emerita Miriam Gelfand within the University of Iowa and the Iowa City community. This scholarship was established by Charles Kuester, a former student of Professor Gelfand, as a heartfelt tribute to her profound impact.
Professor Miriam Gelfand was known for her dedication to teaching, her prowess as a translator, and her exceptional skills as a multilingual editor. The fund generously offers annual scholarships to deserving students who major in Translation. Students are permitted to apply for more than one category, if eligible, and past recipients are eligible to apply in subsequent years. In this way, the Miriam Gelfand Scholarship not only honors the memory of Professor Gelfand but also serves as a lasting source of encouragement for dedicated students at the University of Iowa.
First Year Award
Two awards of $250.00 each available for first year students who have declared the BA in Translation. Students must submit a Personal Statement that describes their interest in the Translation BA and how the program might help them meet their educational and professional goals (500 words maximum).
NB: "first year" refers to a student in their first year in the program, and student must have declared the
Translation major or have plans to do so by the end time of award. GPA will be considered – Please submit
Degree Audit from MyUI.
Continuing Student Award
Up to four awards of $500.00 each available for second year, third year, and fourth year students who have declared the BA in Translation. GPA will be considered – Please submit Degree Audit from MyUI. Continuing students must also submit a cover letter explaining how this scholarship will benefit their study of Translation and/or describe their future career plans involving Translation (500 words maximum).
Best Translation Project
One award of $1,000 available for the Best Translation Project. This award is reserved for students majoring in BA in Translation. Please submit a Degree Audit from MyUI and a cover letter explaining your Translation project (when completed, summary of project and outcomes, etc.). You may also upload supporting documents for your project with your cover letter (1 pdf). Winning projects may be eligible for inclusion in one of the Translation Programs’ publications.
Exchanges Best Translation Essay
One award of $1,000 available for the Exchanges Best Essay Contest. This award is reserved for students majoring in BA in Translation. Please submit a Degree Audit from MyUI and your essay. The winning essay will be featured in Exchanges. Essay should be 1200-1750 words. Please see Exchanges website for more information.
Miriam Gelfand personal statement guidelines
Your personal statement for the Gelfand first- or second-year award should reflect your pathway to declaring your major in Translation at the University of Iowa, and describe your aspirations and future goals both at the University and after graduation. Consider these guidelines as you compose your personal statement.
Personal interests and experiences
Translation majors come from a wide range of interests and experiences. The Gelfand awards committee invites you to begin your personal statement by describing how you first arrived at your interest in translation. To do so, you may want to respond to some or all of the following questions: What is your relationship to languages and language learning? Do you or did you translate for anyone at home? What does translation mean for you?
BA in Translation impact
Additionally, the Gelfand awards committee would like to hear how the Translation BA at the University of Iowa has impacted your academic experience thus far, and how you see translation as fitting into your future interests and goals as a student. In concluding your personal statement, you may want to respond to some or all of the following questions: What translation classes have you taken so far at Iowa and what impact have they had on you? What translation classes are you most excited to take in the future? In an ideal world, what opportunities would your Translation BA open up for you after graduation?
Your personal statement should be a well-crafted essay of maximum 500 words, written in English. Please use the guidelines above as inspiration, rather than a rubric.
Miriam Gelfand cover letter guidelines
Submit a formal cover letter, written in English and addressed to the awards committee, in which you describe the project you are submitting for consideration (translation or essay). Please see the awards description for information specific to each category while composing your cover letter.