Grant Programmes

Current grant programmes

For the March 2010 round of funding, the following grant programmes are open:

Other programmes we support

The following programmes are currently supporting a wide range of projects, however, further funding for these programmes will not be offered in March 2010. Please register for email updates on the home page to receive further information in due course.

Research on European Jewry

The Foundation endeavours to encourage academic research that will uncover on previously unstudied areas of Europe’s Jewish heritage and culture. Local research projects that allow Jewish communities to explore, within an academic framework, aspects of their past and present Jewish life, or allow scholars to study the neglected past of Jewish communities, may apply for funding. Using innovative and interdisciplinary academic methodologies, it is envisaged that proposed projects will contribute to a greater understanding of the Jewish past, and help to embed Jewish culture and heritage into European identity. Educational bodies, exhibition curators, scholars, as well as teachers and pupils should be able to gain access to such studies through websites, online databases or other means, in order to utilise them in practical ways.

Civil Society

Institutions of civil society are instrumental in enriching Jewish life across Europe. The Foundation seeks to encourage initiatives of Jewish and non-Jewish non-t-for-profit groups to jointly strengthen democratic institutions, the rule of law, the acceptance of diversity, all of which constitute a more permanent defence against extremism. In addition, support is available for collaborative initiatives between Jewish and other faith groups to promote inter-religious tolerance and understanding. The Foundation is able to support such efforts as long as they are non-political.

Community Development

The Foundation seeks to strengthen the infrastructure and enhance the sustainability of Jewish communities and groups, by supporting key communal bodies operating across Europe. The Foundation is also committed to helping activities organised by, and for Jewish youth, students and young professionals, as a way of fostering a new generation of activists, leaders and philanthropists. Funding is available for new initiatives that aim to serve Jewish groups that are neglected or under-served by existing communal activities. The Foundation further supports the training and professional development of staff, lay leaders and volunteers in Jewish communal organisations.

Applications for sociological and demographic research and needs assessments will be considered. These should be designed to help Jewish communities engage in strategic planning for the future and develop programmes and policies that will better serve their members. Social research projects can include, but are not limited to, mappings of the changing face of European Jewry, assessments of the impact of wider social developments affecting European countries or research on the attitudes, needs or identities of Jews in Europe.

European Archives and Libraries with Jewish Collections Grant Programme

The grant programme aims to assist archives and libraries with significant holdings that bear testimony to the rich history, culture and religious practice of European Jewish communities. The programme encourages efforts to improve the protection, preservation and availability of collections.

Digitization projects are regarded as an area of priority and are therefore strongly encouraged. Moreover, the grant programme welcomes and encourages collaboration and networking among European archives and libraries with Jewish holdings and invites proposals for joint initiatives by a number of institutions.

Proposals can include requests for staff training and support; upgrading and purchase of equipment and archival materials; and preparation and publication (print and/or web) of collection catalogues. Priority will be given to projects that support more than one collection.

Applications for the improvement of facilities to support microfilming and other forms of copying (film, digital, etc.) will be accepted. Emphasis will be placed on the production of catalogues, printed and online, made widely available so that scholars can easily identify whether there is material relevant to their work and consult the available documents.

European Jewish Museums Grant Programme

The Foundation’s grant programme has been established to address the urgent needs of Jewish museums and Judaica collections, especially in the area of collections management. The grant programme aims to provide support for museums that have significant holdings pertinent to the preservation and study of Jewish history, culture and religion.

The grant programme also endeavours to stimulate museum professionals to venture into new areas, develop new methodologies and expand the capacity of their institutions. Projects will therefore be sought, which contain the following three elements: inspiration, innovation and imagination

The digitization of holdings is regarded as an area of priority and digitization projects are strongly encouraged. Moreover, the grant programme welcomes collaboration among European Jewish museums and invites proposals for joint initiatives by a number of institutions.

Please note: The grant programme to study and prevent antisemitism, racism and xenophobia in Europe was launched in 2005, in collaboration between the Ford Foundation based in New York and the Rothschild Foundation (Europe). The programme has now ended and no further funding will be available. Reports related to the programme can be read here

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