Hadassah-Brandeis Institute

Open to applicants regardless of gender or religion.

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

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.

• Yishuv, Contemporary Israel and Zionism

• Diasporic and Transnational Jewish Studies

• The Holocaust

• Antisemitism

• Gender, Culture, Religion and the Law

• Gender and Jews of Color

• Gender Issues in Jewish Ritual, Participation & Observance

• Jewish Feminism and Jews in Feminism

• LGBTQ Studies

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

• 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 Samples can be either published or unpublished.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 Résumé

  • 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).

• 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.

The research award application guidelines (PDF) includes information contained on this page and the contents of the online submission form to assist you in preparing for electronic submission.

Information filled out on the submission form cannot be saved or stored on the form for submission at a later date. Applicants should complete their responses in another program, i.e. Word, and cut and paste their comments into the appropriate boxes at the time of submission. Be sure you have attached all the relevant files before you submit the proposal or you will need to re-enter the information.

Deadline:The next application deadline will be in September 2020. 

Do not email your proposal. Your proposal will be accepted only if we receive both hard and electronic copies by the deadline.

1. Mail a hard copy of the proposal to:
   Debby Olins, Assistant Director for Administration
   HBI, MS 079
   Brandeis University
   515 South Street
   Waltham, MA 02454-9110

2. Proposal must also be submitted electronically.

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.

HBI will notify applicants by email in mid- to late- December 2019 as to whether their proposal will receive funding. Funds will be distributed four to six weeks after receipt of required tax documentation, which must be received within six weeks of notification of the Research Award.

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.