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HBI Research Awards

2023 Research Award Recipients

In 2023, HBI gave out 13 awards totaling $56,000. HBI awards grants to support research or artistic projects in Jewish women’s and gender studies across a range of disciplines.

The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute awards grants to support research or artistic projects in Jewish women’s and gender studies across a range of disciplines. Awards are made to graduate students, early career, and established researchers. The HBI Research Awards are funded by gifts from the HBI Board.

The purpose of the HBI Research Award is to support work that has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of Jewish Gender Studies in one of the following ways:

by using the lens of gender to inform the field of Jewish Studies
by bringing insights from Jewish Studies to the field of Women’s and Gender Studies
by exploring interreligious collaborations between Jewish women and women of other faiths.

2023 Research Award Categories

Antisemitism

Creative Arts (including Research, Performance, Visual, Writing, and Film)

Gender and the Holocaust

Gender, Jews of Color, and Mizrahi Studies

Jewish Feminism and Jews in Feminism

Jewish Girlhood Studies

Jews, Gender, and Disability Studies

LGBTQ Jewish Studies

Women’s rights and religious law

Yishuv, Contemporary Israel and Zionism

Awards

Junior grants up to $2,000 awarded to graduate students enrolled in recognized PhD programs and new scholars — generally within two years of receiving a PhD.

Senior grants up to $5,000 are awarded to established scholars and professionals.

The application for 2023 is now closed. The application for the 2024 Research Awards will be posted online in July 2023.

Eligibility

Open to applicants regardless of gender or religion.

Applications (in English) from outside the United States are welcome.

Application Requirements

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Requirements for Proposals

Project Description
- A research proposal detailing the nature and purpose of the project and the scope of the work. The description should include information on the project’s background, specific objectives, working hypothesis, and methodology. Include a statement detailing the specific component of the project to be funded by the Research Award (1,500 word maximum).
  - Note: If the project includes interviews, attach the interview questions to the project description.
Statement of Contribution
- Discussion of the relevant literature and explanation of how your project will make an original contribution to the field of Jewish Gender Studies (500 word maximum).
Proposal Summary Form
- Project Abstract (250 words maximum)
- Timeline (200 words maximum)
Budget
Personal Information Sheet
Writing Sample
- A writing sample in English (5–10 pages). Samples can be either published or unpublished.
Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Four pages maximum. Work or publications of particular relevance to the research proposal can be starred (**).
Letter of Recommendation and Project Evaluation
- Junior grant applications only.
Additional Required Information
- Proposals in Film, Performance Arts, Visual Arts and Creative Writing must include the supporting information (see next accordion).

Additional Requirements for Proposals in the Creative Arts Category

Projects must deal with gender; projects by and about Jewish artists that do not deal with gender, do not meet the criteria.

Proposals in Film and Video, Performance Art, Visual Art, and Creative Writing may omit the Statement of Contribution and the Writing Sample but require the materials specified below.

Film and Video

Complete film/video treatment
Video/DVD excerpt of current project or sample of previous work (Internet link or 2 DVDs)
1–2 reviews of previous work
Name of an authority in the field who can recommend you and your work.

Performance Arts

Video/DVD/CD excerpt of a past performance (Internet link or 2 DVDs)
List of potential performance venues
1–2 reviews of previous work
Name of an authority in the field who can recommend you and your work.

Visual Arts

Images of current or past work (electronic versions preferred) (Internet link or 2 CDs)
List of potential exhibit sites
1–2 reviews of previous work
Name of an authority in the field who can recommend you and your work.

Creative Writing

10–20 page writing sample
1–2 reviews of previous work
Name of an authority in the field who can recommend you and your work.

Review Process

Research awards are given on the basis of excellence. All proposals are confidential and carefully reviewed by at least two outside experts, and receive further review from members of the HBI’s Academic Advisory Committee.

Note: HBI Research Awards are considered taxable income. Taxes may be deducted from awards made to non-resident aliens and award recipients who do not file a US tax return.