Listening from the Heart Student Fellowship

Over the course of the year, fellows will engage in the following:

• • Training Phase: Participate in a structured training program led by AFPCFF staff and trainers. This training will include:
    • • Experiencing core Listening from the Heart dialogue modules, featuring video narratives of bereaved family members.
      • Learning facilitation skills to guide difficult conversations in ways that are balanced, respectful, and constructive.
      • Practical workshops on conflict transformation, empathy-building, and narrative-sharing.
      • Opportunities to engage directly with PCFF bereaved members in Q&A sessions.
  • Leadership & Outreach Phase: Apply this training by taking Listening from the Heart into your own communities—whether through student groups, clubs, classrooms, or campus events. Fellows will host Listening from the Heart programs and workshops with these community groups, to take them through the program and spread the lessons and mission of the program.

Upon successfully completing the Listening from the Heart Fellowship, students will receive:

• • A $350 stipend awarded at the end of the program in recognition of your participation and contributions.
  • Direct mentorship from American Friends of the Parents Circle staff and trainers
  • Training in facilitation, reflective listening, and navigating difficult conversations — skills valuable in academic, civic, and professional settings.
  • Exclusive Access to LfTH Materials: curated videos, narrative resources, and dialogue tools not available to the general public.
  • Opportunities to host events on campus with support from AFPCFF
  • Connection to a community of student leaders across the U.S. committed to empathy, storytelling, and bridge-building.
  • Engagement with PCFF Members (if applicable): opportunities to learn directly from bereaved Israeli and Palestinian speakers who model resilience and reconciliation.
  • Certificate of completion of Listening from the Heart program acknowledging your commitment to human-centered dialogue around the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Fellows are expected to:

• • Participate in the fall training workshops (3 workshops, 2 hours each)
  • Host or co-facilitate at least two Listening from the Heart sessions
  • Submit a short reflection at the end of the year summarizing their work and impact

What We Ask from the University:

For this fellowship to succeed, we ask to designate a faculty or staff member who will serve as the on-campus coordinator. This individual will:

• • Act as the primary point of contact between AFPCFF and the University.
  • Help coordinate logistics for training and events.
  • Support student fellows in carrying out their work and connecting with relevant campus offices or groups.

This partnership role is critical to ensuring the program is seamlessly integrated into the University community.

The fellowship is limited and spots will be awarded on a rolling basis.

To apply for the Listening from the Heart Student Fellowship, applicants must:

• • Be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited university for the academic year.
  • Demonstrate an interest in dialogue, conflict resolution, social justice, or community-building and in engaging thoughtfully with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (no prior knowledge required—just openness to learning and hearing multiple perspectives).
  • Commit to active participation in both the training and leadership phases of the program, including fellowship meetings and activities (6 hours; virtual or in-person, depending on cohort).
  • Be able to organize and facilitate a Listening from the Heart activity in your community (2 hours).
  • Commit to engaging respectfully with diverse perspectives (a core value of Listening from the Heart).
  • Submit the application linked here.

You can learn more about the Parents Circle–Families Forum here: https://parentscirclefriends.org/