HBI Research Awards
The 2026 application is open.
Deadline: September 2, 2025. Applicants will be notified the week of March 2, 2026.
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 of Advisors and other donors.
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:
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by using the lens of gender to inform the field of Jewish Studies
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by bringing insights from Jewish Studies to the field of Women’s and Gender Studies
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by exploring interreligious collaborations between Jewish women and women of other faiths.
2026 Research Award Categories
Gender and Antisemitism
Gender and the Holocaust
Gender and Jewish-Black Relations
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.
Eligibility
Open to applicants regardless of gender or religion.
Applications (in English) from outside the United States are welcome.
Application Requirements
Requirements for Proposals
- ABSTRACT
- Statement of the research question succinctly describing your specific aims, contribution to the field, an overview of the methodology, and (if appropriate) initial findings. Be sure to include a statement explaining what makes your project unique. (250 word maximum)
- 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 HBI Research Award. (1500 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)
- TIMELINE
- Include a start date, benchmarks for progress, and estimated completion date for the project. (200 word maximum)
- BUDGET
- Attach a budget with a summary of how the funds will be used. Include: Salary; Travel Expenses; Supplies; Outside Services; Other Items; as well as the Total Cost. Note: $2000 maximum for Juniors $5000 for Seniors. Example provided on the application.
- Include an explanation of the reasons for the requested budget allocation (add to text box).
- OTHER GRANTS
- List any other grants you are currently applying for to support this project (if applicable).
- List the name and date of any other grants you have received for this project, including previous support from HBI for this project (if applicable).
- HBI AFFILIATION
- List any HBI affiliation for this or any other project (if applicable).
- CURRICULUM VITAE or RESUME
- Attach for each person working on the project. (4 pages maximum per file). Work or publications of particular relevance to the research proposal can be starred .**
- WRITING SAMPLE
- A writing sample in English. (Applications relating to creative writing should include a 10-20 page writing sample, see below). Samples can be either published or unpublished.
- Note: A writing sample is REQUIRED for all proposals except those relating to performance arts, visual arts and film.
- SURVEY
- If your project includes a survey, attach a sample copy.
- LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
- Junior grant applications only. Exception: All creative arts proposals, both junior and senior, must submit a reference. See below.
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ADDITIONAL REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR CREATIVE ARTS PROPOSALS
- Proposals in film, performance arts, visual arts and creative writing must include supporting information. See next accordion.
Additional Requirements for Creative Arts Proposals
- Projects must deal with gender; projects by and about Jewish artists that do not deal with gender do not meet the criteria.
- All proposals relating to creative arts must submit a reference. The referee should address the following:
- ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
- The quality of the applicant’s work, creative process, and other works of art.
- If applicable, the quality of the work of organizations or artistic partners involved in the project.
- ARTISTIC MERIT
- The value and appropriateness of the project to the artistic field, artists, audience, and community.
- The value and appropriateness of the project to the field of Jewish Women's and Gender Studies.
- The ability to carry out the project based on such factors as the appropriateness of the budget, clarity of the project activities, resources involved, and the qualifications of the project's personnel and/or partnerships.
- ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
- See below for specific requirements for each category:
- Creative Writing
- 10–20 page writing sample
- 1–2 reviews of previous work
- Reference (see above criteria)
- Film and Video
- Complete film/video treatment
- Video excerpt of current project or sample of previous work
- 1–2 reviews of previous work
- Reference (see above criteria)
- Performance Arts
- Video excerpt of a past performance
- 1–2 reviews of previous work
- Reference (see above criteria)
- Visual Arts
- Images of current or past work (electronic versions preferred)
- 1–2 reviews of previous work
- Reference (see above criteria)
- Creative Writing
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 and HBI’s Research Awards Selection 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.
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Research Award Information
Questions
Contact Terri Brown Preuss