Doctoral Fellowships for Academic Jewish Studies

Individual students entering their first year of doctoral study can apply for grants of up to £19,000 per year for up to three years to prepare and complete their doctoral dissertation in Jewish Studies at an academic institution in Europe.

Students in later years of a doctoral programme may also apply, but their proposed period of funding will be expected to be shorter. The amount awarded may vary according to the local costs of living, tuition fees and individual needs.

The Foundation does not provide additional funding, on top of the original amount awarded, for research, travel, etc. To be covered, these expenses must be included in your original application budget.

Doctoral fellows are encouraged to gain teaching experience during the period of their fellowship, provided this is a possibility at their institution. Fellows are also encouraged to present their research to the local Jewish community as well as to the wider public.

Applications for doctoral fellowships must be submitted by PhD students (or prospective students) themselves. Those not yet accepted to their PhD programme of choice will need to indicate where they intend to study and when they expect to hear if they have been accepted. Their prospective supervisor must also submit a letter of reference.

To be eligible to apply for a fellowship, individual applicants must be European citizens (citizens of both EU and non-EU European countries are eligible). Likewise, the institution where applicants propose to undertake their doctoral degree must be based in Europe. We are not currently accepting applications to study in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate having been resident in Europe for at least 2 years prior to their award coming into effect. If your application is approved, you will be required to provide evidence of residency in Europe since August 2022. The Foundation will provide a list of the types of credible documentation accepted.

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 FAQs.

In general, the costs of tuition, research, travel and living are eligible within the context of the Doctoral Fellowship grant. If you are uncertain about the eligibility of your proposed project or project costs, please contact Dr Gabor Kadar (G.Kadar@rothschildfoundation.eu)

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

Grantees may apply to the Foundation for additional funding to cover costs associated with open access publication, such as article processing charges.

Please make sure you have submitted the following with your application. If it is not included, your application cannot be considered.

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

• Applicant CV in English (Maximum 5 pages): Please ensure that you provide an academic CV, listing all relevant academic experience, publications, and prizes. Please note that only the first 5 pages of CVs which exceed the 5-page limit will be forwarded to the Academic Advisory Committee for assessment.
• Final transcripts of grades / credits received for all previous degrees: This will be an official document from your university that lists all the classes you took as a part of your degree(s), the credits you received for them, and the marks you were awarded. Please provide the final transcripts of grades/credits received for all previous degrees. Original documents which are not in English must be submitted along with an English translation (an unofficial translation will suffice). Please combine all transcripts into one document and upload via the Attachments section.
• Full doctoral proposal in English, German, or French (maximum 12 pages, 12pt font, 1.5 spacing): Please note that only the first 12 pages of any proposal which exceeds the 12-page limit will be sent to the Academic Advisory Committee for assessment. This proposal may repeat portions of the project summary and/or description included in your application form. If this proposal has been approved, please submit proof of approval.
• Budget table and budget explanation for the proposed project: Please use the proforma budget form provided with the application. An example of a completed budget can also be downloaded via the application form.

Translations: For documents not originally written in English (aside from your proposal) please include an English translation. This does not need to be an official translation, but it must be clear and accurate. Documents in a language other than English that are not accompanied by an English translation will not be processed.

Applicants must supply details for two referees, able to evaluate the strengths of their proposal. At least one of these referees must be the applicant’s proposed supervisor.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to send their referees the correct reference form and to ensure that references are submitted by the referee deadline. Forms are available to download under the referees section of the online application form or here.

Applications can only be submitted via our online application process. We do not accept applications by mail or email.

Please use the Apply Now button at the bottom of the grant category page to begin your application.

The first time you login, you will need to create an account with an email and a password. Please keep a note of your login information as you will need it to access your application form on future visits.

Once you have set up your online account you will be taken directly to the application form.

When completing the application form, make sure to switch your web browser language settings to English if necessary.

You can also download a sample of the application form on the relevant category page.

Once you have started your application, please continue editing by logging into your online account below. Do not click on the Apply Now button again as this creates duplicate application forms in your account.

Your application form and supporting documents must be submitted by Tuesday 09 January 2024. References will be due by Thursday 18 January 2024 – please ensure you provide a copy of your application form and the reference to your referee to complete.

You should expect notification via email by mid-May 2024 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.

Please add the following emails to your contacts/safe senders list to ensure you receive all our communications regarding your application and grant notification: mailuk@grantapplication.com; mail@grantapplication.com; adobesign@adobesign.com; message@adobe.com.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information or advice as you prepare your application.

For queries relating to this grant category please contact: Dr Ruchama Johnston-Bloom (R.Johnston-Bloom@rothschildfoundation.eu)

For any other information including technical support please contact info@rothschildfoundation.eu