HBI Research Awards
In 2025, HBI gave out 14 awards totaling $61,000. HBI awards grants to support research or artistic projects in Jewish women’s and gender studies across a range of disciplines.
The application for 2026 will be posted on July 1, 2025.
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.
2025 Research Award Categories
Antisemitism
Gender and the Holocaust
Gender and Jews of Color
Gender and Mizrahi Studies
Jewish Feminism and Jews in Feminism
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
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- 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
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Budget
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Personal Information Sheet
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Writing Sample
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Curriculum Vitae or Resume
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Letter of Recommendation and Project Evaluation
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Additional Required Information
The application for 2025 is now closed.
- 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.
- See below for specific requirements for each category:
- Creative Writing
- 10–20 page writing sample
- 1–2 reviews of previous work
- Reference from an authority in the field who can recommend you and your work
- Film and Video
- Complete film/video treatment
- Video/DVD excerpt of current project or sample of previous work
- 1–2 reviews of previous work
- Reference from an authority in the field who can recommend you and your work
- Performance Arts
- Video/DVD/CD excerpt of a past performance
- 1–2 reviews of previous work
- Reference from an authority in the field who can recommend you and your work
- Visual Arts
- Images of current or past work (electronic versions preferred)
- 1–2 reviews of previous work
- Reference from 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 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.