The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) Archives is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for its 2021 fellowship program. In 2021, seven fellowships will be awarded to senior scholars, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and independent researchers to conduct research in the JDC Archives, either in New York or in Jerusalem. Topics in the fields of twentieth century Jewish history, modern history, social welfare, migration, and humanitarian assistance will be considered, as well as other areas of academic research covered in the JDC archival collections.  Our finding aids can be consulted to identify relevant areas. The fellowship awards are $2,000-$5,000 and the deadline for submission is January 26, 2021.

Fellows are expected to make a public presentation on their research upon conclusion of their fellowships.

Past fellows have worked on diverse topics ranging from the eradication of malaria in Mandatory Palestine to Soviet Jewish emigration to the West in the 1970s and 1980s. The areas of research and lectures of previously awarded recipients can be viewed here.

David Baumgardt Memorial Fellowship

The Leo Baeck Institute announces the availability of one fellowship per year for academics affiliated with an accredited institution of higher education. The fellowship provides financial assistance to scholars whose research projects are connected with the writings of Professor David Baumgardt or his scholarly interests, including Ethics, Wissenschaft des Judentums and the Modern Intellectual History of German-speaking Jewry.

The fellowship consists of an award, not exceeding $7,500, to be determined according to the requirements of the project and, in principle, requires extensive use of the facilities of the LBI in New York, particularly the David Baumgardt Collection. The fellowship should be used by the end of the year in which it was granted. Support for travel or family members is not available. The stipend will be paid in monthly instalments.

Guidelines

• Applications for the fellowship must be submitted in writing not later than November 16. Decisions will be announced in January. No reason for the decision will be given.
• An application consists of:
  1. Completed Application Form
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Full Description of the Research Project
  4. A Financial Plan
  5. Evidence of Highest Degree Obtained
  6. Evidence of Enrollment in a Ph.D. Program
  7. Doctoral Candidates only:
     1. Official Transcripts (Graduate and Undergraduate Work)
     2. Two Letters of Recommendation, one by their doctoral advisor and one by another scholar familiar with their work
  8. Post-Doctoral Candidates only: Two Letters of recommendation from scholars in the field.

• The fellowship holders agree to submit a brief report on their research activities upon conclusion of their fellowships.

To apply please download and fill out the application form (DOC) and email it to Dr. Frank Mecklenburg at the LBI.

Fritz Halbers Fellowship

The Leo Baeck Institute announces the availability of one or more fellowship per year for students enrolled in a Ph.D. program at an accredited institution of higher education. The fellowships provide financial assistance to scholars whose research projects are connected with the culture and history of German-speaking Jewry.

The fellowship(s) consists of an award, not exceeding $ 3000–, to be determined according to the requirements of the project. The fellowship should be used by the end of the year in which it was granted. Support for travel or family members is not available.

Guidelines

• Applications for the fellowship must be submitted in writing to the Director not later than November 16. Decisions will be announced in January. No reason for the decision will be given.
• An application consists of:
  1. Completed Application Form
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. Full Description of the Research Project
  4. A Financial Plan
  5. Evidence of Highest Degree Obtained
  6. Evidence of Enrolment in a Ph.D. Program
  7. Doctoral Candidates only:
     1. Official Transcripts (Graduate and Undergraduate Work)
     2. Two Letters of Recommendation, one by their doctoral advisor and one by another scholar familiar with their work
  8. Post-Doctoral Candidates only: Two Letters of recommendation from scholars in the field.

• The fellowship holders agree to submit a brief report on their research activities upon conclusion of their fellowships.

To apply please fill download and fill out the application form (DOC) and email it to Dr. Frank Mecklenburg at the LBI.

Maimonides Centre for Advanced Studies (MCAS)

Call for Applications

2 Doctoral Fellowships; 2 Postdoctoral Fellowships; 7-9 Senior Fellowships

Application Deadline: 10 December 2020

The Maimonides Centre for Advanced Studies (MCAS) at Universität Hamburg would like to invite researchers to apply for its junior and senior fellowship programme for the academic year 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022.

The Maimonides Centre for Advanced Studies at Universität Hamburg

The Maimonides Centre for Advanced Studies is a Humanities Research Institute at Universität Hamburg which is led by Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Veltri and funded by the German Research Foundation. MCAS’s central aim is to explore and research scepticism in Judaism in its dual manifestation both as a purely philosophical tradition and as a more general expression of sceptical strategies, concepts, and attitudes in the cultural field.

Topic: Language and Scepticism (2021–22)

In the academic year 2021–22, MCAS will focus on the relationship between language and scepticism. The ability of language to represent and communicate “truth” has been challenged by sceptical arguments throughout the history of thought. Within the confines of active religions that are founded upon sacred texts, of which Judaism is the earliest, the sceptical challenge becomes crucial to the soundness of tradition. The investigation of scepticism in the context of language will be conducted from three angles: (1) the status of sacred texts; (2) language and meaning; and (3) the place of translation in the transmission of knowledge.

The successful candidate’s project should resonate productively with the annual topic as described. Priority will be given to projects dealing with the (early) modern period.

Junior Fellowships (PhD and Postdoc)

Junior fellowships are awarded to advanced PhD students and postdoctoral researchers (within four years of receipt of PhD) in Jewish studies, history, philosophy, Islamic studies, religious studies, or related fields in the humanities. PhD students must have obtained an MA degree at the time of their application. Postdoctoral candidates must be in possession of a doctoral degree at the time of their application.

• Fellowship period: 12 months (1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022)

Senior Fellowships

Senior fellowships are intended for researchers in Jewish studies, history, philosophy, Islamic studies, religious studies, or related fields in the humanities who have held a PhD for at least four years at the time of application (category I) and for those who have achieved a professorship or an equivalent academic position (category II).

• Fellowship period: 3–5 months
• Commencement of fellowship period: 1 October 2021 or 1 April 2022

Successful applicants (junior and senior fellowship programme) are asked to take up residence in Hamburg, to carry out research at MCAS, to actively attend events, and to take part in the centre’s activities.

Funding is subject to the terms and conditions of MCAS regulations, following suggestions made by Universität Hamburg. For further information, please contact MCAS (contact details see below).

Application Procedure

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents in one PDF file in English:

• A completed application form (link: PDF)
• A research proposal of two to three pages, including the project’s relationship to the annual topic, the status quaestionis of the chosen topic, the candidate’s prior research that is relevant to the proposed topic, a detailed programme of work including a timetable, and a description of the expected form of the outcome of the project
• A full CV and up-to-date publications list (max. 5 pages)
• A transcript of records/master’s certificate (PhD fellowship) or PhD diploma (postdoctoral fellowship)

In addition, two letters of recommendation (junior fellows only; for the PhD fellowship, one of the letters must be written by the PhD supervisor) must be sent directly to MCAS by the referees.

Applications and recommendation letters must be submitted via email by 10 December 2020 to lilian.tuerk@uni-hamburg.de

Acceptance letters will be sent out in February 2021.

MCAS aims to increase the number of women in advanced academic positions and strongly encourages women to apply. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by MCAS’s advisory board.

For further information and questions, please contact MCAS’s academic coordinator Dr. Lilian Türk:

Email: lilian.tuerk@uni-hamburg.de

Phone: +49-(0)40-42838-8605

Azrieli Fellows Program

The Azrieli Foundation is launching its revamped International Postdoctoral Fellowship for research at Israeli universities in STEM, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Online Application for the 2021 Cohort Begins September 1st 2020 and may be accessed on the Azrieli Foundation website.

What kind of candidate are we looking for?
Ideal candidates will have an excellent academic track record and the potential to perform groundbreaking research, alongside an intellectual curiosity that transcends their field of study. They will possess a character that facilitates scientific and societal leadership, promoting change.

Who can apply?
Candidates who have received or will receive their PhD degrees at a recognized university in the EU or EFTA states, UK and Canada, may apply.

Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK.

What do I need in order to apply?
Requirements are detailed in the Guidelines on our website: https://azrielifoundation.org/fellows/internationalpostdoctoral/

Please note that candidates are required to have an academic sponsor who is a faculty member at an Israeli university. It is strongly recommended that you seek an academic sponsor as soon as possible.

How much is the Fellowship?
The value of the Fellowship is approximately € 47,000 (ILS 188,000) per year, including funds reserved for research and travel.

When does the Fellowship begin?
The official starting date of the Fellowship is October 2021, which is the beginning of the Israeli academic year 2021-22. However, candidates are permitted to start their Fellowship as early as June 2021 and no later than March 2022.

How long does the Fellowship last?
The Fellowship is offered for two years. Renewal for a third year will be considered favourably based on a competitive evaluation process.

How many fellowships are offered?
Up to 24 fellowships per year: 18 fellowships in STEM fields, 3 in Humanities, and 3 in Social Sciences.

When to apply?
The online application process opens September 1, 2020, and ends November 1, 2020.

When will decisions be announced?
Award notifications will be sent by February 15, 2021.

Guidelines and online application are available at https://azrielifoundation.org/fellows/internationalpostdoctoral/
For any questions, please contact: fellows@azrielifoundation.org