The European Association for Jewish Studies invites submissions of event proposals for the academic year 2016/17 in the framework of the EAJS Programme in European Jewish Studies, generously funded by the Stiftung “Erinnerung, Verantwortung, Zukunft” (Berlin). The purpose of the programme, now in its second of three years, is twofold:

• to foster cooperation among scholars involved in Jewish Studies across Europe, and
• to support early career researchers in this field to develop a professional network.

The programme offers funding of up to € 8,000 for each event for travel expenses, accommodation and maintenance of the active participants.

Academic excellence, the impact on network building in Jewish Studies across Europe and international cooperation in the development of proposals will be key criteria. Applicants are encouraged to submit multi-disciplinary proposals.

The main applicant is required to be a full member of the EAJS, and associate or student members are eligible to function as further applicants. Speakers are not required to be members of the EAJS.

Event format:

Grants will be provided for two types of academic events, EAJS Roundtables and EAJS Laboratories. Both event formats are expected to be held as 1.5 to 2 day events, with up to twenty participants (including the applicants).

EAJS Laboratories are academic meetings devoted to a specific topic from any discipline in Jewish Studies, with an emphasis on work in progress and a shared focus on specific sources or methods. We especially encourage a focus on emerging fields of investigation and methodological reflection. Rather than proposing a programme with a string of presentations, applicants should invite keynote speakers who will be followed by comments and extensive, open discussions.

The application should identify around ten senior and ten junior participants, the latter being PhD students or early career researchers not more than five years after being awarded their PhD. The applicants may identify junior participants in the event or invite paper proposals through a call for papers through the EAJS newsflash and website. In case the applicants wish to publish a call for papers, please include it in the submission.

EAJS Roundtables should offer the opportunity for scholars to reflect on current challenges for Jewish Studies as an academic discipline. Topics may include, but are not restricted to:

• discussions on teaching Jewish languages,
• the potentials of digitization for research and/or teaching,
• the cooperation between academic institutions and extra-academic players, like museums or the media, and
• the place of Jewish Studies in the European academic landscape
• the disciplinary fabric of Jewish Studies.

For both formats, the applicants should invite participants from across Europe in order to allow for a broad representation of approaches and academic cultures. Successful applicants are invited to produce a brief summary of the major outcomes which will be posted to the EAJS homepage. One of the conference languages should be English.

Grant: Successful applications may claim up to € 8,000 which should be used for travel expenses, accommodation and maintenance of the active participants, though not for technical equipment or staff. Funds may not be used to pay honoraria to speakers. In case of an event budget exceeding this amount, the applicants need to show evidence for the ability to provide for the remaining amount.

Eligibility: Applications are to be submitted by two or more scholars actively involved in Jewish Studies. The main applicant needs to be Full member of the European Association for Jewish Studies. In case of further applicants, these may be Associate or Student members. For details of how to become a member, go to the EAJS website, here. Academics who are not members of EAJS are invited to apply for EAJS membership before submitting any applications. The main applicant is expected to function as host to the event, which needs to take place at a European university or research institution during the academic year 2016/17 (Sept 1, 2016 – August 31, 2017). S/he will need to document sufficient institutional support for holding the event and the adequate administration of funds.

Submission process: Proposals for EAJS Roundtables and Laboratories to be held in the academic year 2016/17 should be submitted, including all documentation, through this online form by 28 January 2016 latest. All applicants should provide a shortC.V. and a list with up to five pertinent publications per applicant. Non-compliance with the formal requirements for the application may negatively affect its success.

We encourage members to contact our funding consultant, Jonathan Starbrook (University of Manchester), to seek independent advice about successfully applying for external funding.

Successful applicants will be notified not later than 11 March 2016.

Enquiries about the programme should be sent to admin@eurojewishstudies.org.