You will find here answers to the most frequently asked questions relating to all grant programmes. Specific questions relating to the particular grant programmes are addressed in the Notes of Guidance of each of the grant categories which are available for downloading when the grant category is open for applications.
Q. Are there any types of projects that the Foundation will not fund?
A. The Foundation will not fund the on-going costs of schools, synagogues or welfare organisations. We do not fund the building of new museums or communal institutions. We will not fund requests for artistic projects in the fine arts, the performing arts, film production, creative writing or for book publication.
Q. Can an individual apply for a grant?
A. With the exception of early career scholars, the Foundation does not accept applications from individuals but rather from organisations / institutions that qualify as charitable according to the UK authorities. If you are an early career scholar (e.g. you received your doctoral degree less than 5 years ago), you may be eligible to apply for certain grants within the Academic Jewish Studies Grant Programme. Please refer to the relevant programme page.
Q. My organisation is not based in Europe but our proposed project focuses on Europe. Are we eligible for a grant?
A. In the vast majority of cases, institutions that are not based in Europe are not eligible to apply for grants from the Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe. The only instance where it might be possible for such institutions to submit applications is in the rare case that they are planning to do a full project (such as an archival survey) in Europe,
Q. My proposed project concerns a Jewish collection held at a non-Jewish institution (e.g. an archive, library, museum or research centre). Would such an application be considered eligible?
A. Yes, we often receive applications from non-Jewish institutions to work on the Jewish component of their holdings. This is perfectly acceptable.
Q. My proposed project has been rejected by the Foundation in the past, am I eligible to reapply?
A. Unless you have been otherwise advised by Foundation Staff, please do not resubmit a previously rejected application without making substantial changes to your proposal.
Q. What is the difference between a Category, a Programme and an Initiative?
A. We currently have four Grant Programmes (Academic Jewish Studies, Archives and Libraries, Museums and Jewish Education). Each programme is slightly different and has its own grant categories. Some of the categories are by invitation only and they have been created in order to fulfill our funding strategy.
Initiatives are mostly ongoing projects set up by the Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe, often in cooperation with other institutions or other funders.
Q. Can I apply to more than one of the different grant programmes?
A. An organisation can apply to more than one programme (i.e. you can apply to both the Museums and to the Archives and Libraries programmes). However, please note, it is unlikely that both will be funded and organisations should clearly indicate their preferred project as well as the reasons for this preference. Within each programme, organisations may apply only to one grant category at a time. There is one exception: Applicants to Archives and Libraries can apply for a Yerusha grant AND for another grant within the Archives and Libraries programme.
Q. I am interested in making an application to the Foundation, but my proposed project seems to incorporate aspects of two or more of your grant programmes and / or categories. What should I do?
A. In the first instance, you should apply to whichever grant programme or category you feel best matches your project. Once we review your proposal, we may transfer your application to another category either for consideration or for monitoring after it has been awarded. This will not harm your chances of receiving a grant.
Q. I have a project that needs funding, but the relevant grant programme is currently closed. Is the Foundation able to make funding decisions outside of the grant round?
A. We are not able to make funding decisions outside of our grant rounds. While waiting for grants programmes to open, you can sign up on the website to receive updates from the Foundation.
Q. Can I send a letter of enquiry to the Foundation with a project idea for you to consider?
A. Please consult with us before you send a letter of enquiry. We urge grant seekers to carefully review the Foundation’s website before making any enquiry in order for the prospective grantee to understand the Foundation’s strategic funding priorities and its grant making process. We respond to all enquiries in as timely a manner as possible.
Q. Why do I have to set up an account?
A. RFHE has moved to an online application system which enables us to retrieve your application and any details related to your application in a secure way. If you did not register for the online application system in 2017, you will need to do so when login in for the first time.
If you had a previous online account from the last 2017 round, you will be able to access it with your existing login credentials.
Q. I have forgotten my password
A. You can access the log-in page from the RFHE homepage by clicking on the Online account login button at the bottom of the page.
Click Forgot Password and type your email address into the Email field and you will receive an email with a temporary password that needs to be reset immediately. If you cannot find this email, check your spam folder.
Q. When I login to my account nothing happens
A. Your browser may not accept cookies which stops the online application form from launching. You need to adjust your browser to accept cookies.
Q. Our fundraiser has left and we do not have the login details
A. Please contact us at info@rothschildfoundation.eu with the relevant email address and we can transfer the account to the new email account.
Q. Can I see a sample of the application form?
A. For your convenience, you can access samples of the application forms from the respective grant categories pages. Please note that these are for guidance only. RFHE can only accept applications submitted via the online application process.
Note also that the questions in the online application form may have been updated since the sample documents were produced.
Q. Do I have to complete the application form in one sitting?
A. No, you can save and come back to your application at a later time by clicking the ‘Save & Finish Later’ button at the bottom of each screen.
To continue, you need to access your online account via the account login at the bottom of our website.
Q. When I click on the Back and Forward buttons to go through the application form, I find that I have to login again
A. To move to the next page, please click the ‘Next’ button at the bottom of the page. You can also navigate between sections by clicking on the page title which appears as a ribbon at the top of the application form.
Do not use the ‘Back’ or ‘Forward’ buttons on your browser to navigate through your application.
Q. When I copy and paste text into the form, I have experienced formatting and technical problems. How can I prevent this?
A. Before copying text into the form, first paste the text into either Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) to remove unwanted formatting. We strongly suggest that you avoid using bullet points and other similar design elements.
Q. Could you have a look at my application before I submit it?
A. RFHE can only see an application once it’s been submitted.
Q. How will I know that my application has been submitted?
A. After you have submitted an application you will receive a confirmation email. It will give you a number for your application and will provide a full overview of the details you provided. A copy of your application will also be available via your online account.
We recommend that you keep this email for your records.
Q. Can I edit my application after it’s been submitted?
A. Please contact info@rotschildfoundation.eu to discuss your options.