Departmental Initiative Grants

We welcome applications from universities based in Europe, EU and non-EU states alike, except for Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.

The organisation’s activities must operate on a not-for-profit basis and we will require proof of this status. This includes:

• UK organisations with charitable status under UK charity law (for further information please refer to the Charity Commission website and its list of Charitable Purposes.
• International organisations that operate as non-profit or not-for-profit entities in their respective countries (e.g. state or private libraries, archives, museums, universities, research institutes or cultural centres)

Please note: if your organisation is in the process of obtaining not-for-profit or charitable status, no payments will be made until this status is confirmed. Additionally, if your organisation is awarded a grant but fails to secure this status within three months of receiving notification, the grant will be cancelled.

Universities may only submit one application during an AJS funding round. This does not apply to doctoral fellowships because individuals rather than institutions apply. If different departments, centres, etc., at the same university submit applications at the same time, we will decide which one, if any, to select for a grant.

All topics within the broad field of Jewish Studies are considered eligible for the Foundation’s Jewish Studies grants. The Foundation particularly welcomes applications from those engaged in the study of contemporary Jewish life in Europe from a social science perspective and those whose proposals involve digital humanities research techniques.

In principle, projects only tangentially related to Jewish Studies are unlikely to be successful, nor will projects devoted to an individual or individuals who happen to be Jewish, but whose historical importance is not significantly contingent on that biographical fact. Secondary school education, informal education and documentary films will not be funded within the context of the Academic Jewish Studies grant programme.

For more information on Jewish Studies please read our AJS FAQs.

Potential costs can include: salaries, research costs, publications and other dissemination activities, public engagement, conferences, and resources (e.g. books/IT, etc.).

For collaborative research project initiatives, a maximum of 30% of RFHE funding can go toward costs associated with in-person gatherings (travel, accommodation, catering, etc.).

If you are uncertain about the eligibility of your proposed project or project costs, please contact Dr Ruchama Johnston-Bloom.

A fundamental component of the Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe’s mission is to increase access to European Jewish heritage and culture.

We encourage grantees to publish their Foundation-funded research in peer-reviewed journals with an open access option, and to make their articles freely accessible whenever possible. Should an article based on Foundation-funded research be accepted for publication, grantees may apply to the Foundation for funding to cover costs associated with open access publication, such as article processing charges.

Your application form and supporting documents must be submitted by Wednesday 13 January 2027. References will be due by Wednesday 20 January 2027 – please ensure you provide a copy of your application form and the reference to your referees to complete.

You should expect notification via email by mid-May 2027 letting you know whether your application has been successful or unsuccessful. If your application is approved, you will receive an official award letter and agreement which you will need to e-sign and return with the necessary supporting documentation.

Translations: For documents not originally written in English please include an English translation.

• This does not need to be an official or notarised translation, but it must be clear and accurate, with document titles in English.
• Original documents must be uploaded under the relevant attachment listed below along with their translated versions.
• Documents in a language other than English that are not accompanied by an English translation will not be processed.

If your application is approved, you will need to submit further supporting documentation once you receive your Grant Letter and Agreement.

1. Proof of not-for-profit or charitable status: This will vary from country to country and according to the type of organisation making the application.
   • For UK applicants, this may be a UK charity number where applicable. Please refer to the Charity Commission website and its list of Charitable Purposes.
   • International applicants should provide original documentation or evidence demonstrating their non-profit status under their local regulations (e.g. a copy of the relevant portion of the organisation’s statutes, a certificate from the tax authorities demonstrating not-for-profit status).
2. Budget table and budget explanation for the proposed project: Download and complete the budget form at the bottom of this page. An example of a completed budget form is also available. Do not use your own format.
3. CVs of key staff working on the project (maximum 5 pages for each staff member): Only the first 5 pages of CVs which exceed the 5-page limit will be forwarded to the Academic Advisory Committee for assessment. Combine all CVs into one document before uploading.
4. CV of teaching position candidate if one has already been identified (Not mandatory)
5. A letter from your senior university contact confirming your university’s commitment to the project 
6. The most recently available audited accounts or financial statement stamped by the financial authority in your country: This is a formal record of your organisation’s financial activities for either a one- or three-year period. The statement must include a summary of the income and expenditure over a given period. It should have been prepared by a chartered accountant and, if your country requires it, stamped by the relevant government department.
   • Income and Expenditure: If the submitted audited accounts or financial statement are not in English, you are required to submit an English summary of the income and expenditure account and balance sheet.
7. The operating budget of your organisation for the current fiscal year: Please consult your university or departmental finance department to obtain these.
8. Project Update/Final Report: Only required if the applying university currently receives funding from the Foundation. Please submit a one-page Project Update of your existing grant. If you have recently finished a grant funded by the Foundation please ensure the Final Report has been submitted before the closing date for the current grant round as this will be assessed alongside your new application.
9. Translated documents: Upload translated versions of any of the above documents.

Applicants must supply details for two, external referees able to evaluate their proposal. Referees must not be affiliated with the institution applying for the fellowship.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to send their referees the correct reference form and to ensure references are submitted by the referee deadline. Forms are available to download at the bottom of this page.

The Foundation will confirm receipt of your references to you via email no later than 5 working days after the referee deadline. If the Foundation has not received your reference(s) you will be contacted no later than 3 working days after the referee deadline. Please do not contact the Foundation during this period regarding your references as there will be a delay in responding to your query.