I. Overview

The Association for Jewish Studies is pleased to announce the Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project (LHJSP), a collaboration of the Legacy Heritage Fund and the Association for Jewish Studies (AJS). This new initiative aims to promote sustained Jewish studies programming in small to mid-sized cities, foster relationships between scholars and the wider communities in which they work, encourage innovative and accessible teaching by AJS members, and highlight the nexus of Jewish studies and the study of world civilizations and cultures. It will be the first program by the AJS to support the work of Jewish studies scholars as public intellectuals, pioneering programmers, and community builders. 

Beginning in 2009, the AJS will issue one-year grants of up to $22,000 to Jewish studies programs at colleges and universities outside of major metropolitan areas that demonstrate scholarly resources, institutional support, a schedule of creative and substantive public events, and a need in the general community for such programming.  Priority will be given to applications from institutions in the United States, but Canadian institutions will also be considered. In addition, institutions in the process of building a Jewish studies program are eligible to apply. Four institutions will receive grants in 2009 to support programming in the 2010-11 academic year; four additional institutions will receive grants in 2010 to support programming in the 2011-12 academic year; and four additional institutions will receive grants in 2011 to support programming in the 2012-13 academic year. Grantees may also later apply for a second-year of funding at the 50% level, contingent on their securing matching grants from local sources for the balance of second-year expenses. The application deadline for the 2009 competition is November 10, 2009.

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II. General Information

The Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project is based on the idea that the Jewish studies scholar has a critical role to play as a mediator of Jewish history and culture, the humanities, and social sciences not only on the college campus, but also in the broader community. This role is mutually beneficial: To the community, the Jewish studies scholar brings expertise, depth of knowledge, and extensive teaching experience—traits that can open up Jewish topics in new and innovative ways, inspire intellectual excitement and appreciation for Jewish learning, and assist communities in the task of sharing ideas and engaging in discussion. For the scholar, teaching outside of the college classroom brings a wider audience to one’s work and a broader range of perspectives and experiences to bear on one's topic. Such community events also help to bridge the "town-gown" gap between colleges/universities and the cities within which they reside, promoting the view that Jewish studies programs have vital resources for a diverse community of learners and that the college/university is an essential and active community partner. Indeed, Jewish studies—with its focus on minority/majority relations and on the constant negotiation between particularist and universalist concerns—is ideally situated to serve as a bridge between the academy and the public.

LHJSP will support Jewish studies faculty that design dynamic and inventive outreach events: these could be in the form of a lecture series on a new topic, a two-part conference on a select theme, a seminar-series in which attendees receive readings in advance, a works-in-progress group in which scholars share research on a forthcoming book, or a series that involves a variety of presentation mediums (film, musical performance, lecture, and seminar). These are examples; the AJS encourages new and innovative approaches, and a diversity of program structures that will attract wide participation. There is some flexibility as to the number of events produced—anywhere from two to six events per academic year.  Critical aspects of the programs are that:

• they are sustained, built around a selected theme/year;
• they translate the specific expertise of scholars into a popular idiom
• they draw primarily on the talent and expertise of local faculty, supplemented by guest presenters from out of town;
• they tie into courses being taught on campus and collaborate with local organizations to encourage wide participation;
• they attract a diversity of audiences; and
• they have clear methods of outreach and marketing to the larger community

A central goal of the project is to nurture sustainable, long-term collaborative relationships between Jewish studies programs and their surrounding communities. To this end, grantees will have the option of applying for a second-year of funding (application date TBA), to be matched by local organizations. Year one will be regarded as the "ignition" grant; in year two, the AJS will award 50% of the program budget to institutions that demonstrate financial commitment from local sources (e.g., local donors, foundations, Jewish federations) for the balance of the budget.  A representative from each institution will also attend a one-day workshop on public programming and program development, to be led by the LHJSP Academic Advisory Committee (the workshop for 2009 grantees will be held in early January, 2010 in New York City). Thus, by the completion of a two-year cycle, each grantee will have hosted several major Jewish studies events; developed new relationships and contacts with dozens of members of the local community; attended a workshop on dynamic public programming; raised the profile of Jewish studies on the university campus and among the general public; and contributed ideas and suggestions to the AJS's public programming website, which will serve as a resource to other Jewish studies scholars.

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III. Institutional Budget

Each institution will receive, at most, $22,000/academic year to support its programs. Below is a suggested breakdown of budget expenses.  Institutions are asked to submit a proposed budget and event schedule with their application, and final budget and event schedule before receipt of grant payments. The LHJSP grant does not cover institutional overhead expenses; all budget lines covered by the grant are included below.

Expense	Amount Per Site
Faculty Honoraria (a maximum of $750/presenter/event)	$4,500
Marketing (e.g., brochure design, printing, mailing, etc.)	$4,000
Administrative Support	$2,500
Class materials/a.v. or film rentals	$2,000
Travel Expenses (for up to two out-of town presenters)	$2,500
Guest Speaker Honoraria (for up to two out-of town presenters)	$3,000
Space rental (to hold events off campus)	$2,000
Refreshments	$1,500
TOTAL	$22,000

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IV. Eligibility Requirements

• Institution must be outside of a major metropolitan area (e.g., New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC, etc.), demonstrate community need for and interest in proposed events, and demonstrate financial need to launch proposed programs
• Institution must have a Jewish studies program, or be in the process of developing a Jewish studies program
• Lead applicant from institution must be: affiliated with institution’s Jewish studies program or initiative to develop program; a current AJS member; and have approval from Jewish studies program director to submit application
• Lead applicant must be available to attend one-day workshop on public programming and program development (to be held in early January 2010 in New York City; all expenses covered)
• Grant recipients must: complete year-end report, distribute evaluation forms to audience after each event (template of evaluation form to be provided by AJS), provide attendance records, and maintain a file of marketing and media coverage of events
• Grant recipients will be required to acknowledge the support of the Legacy Heritage Fund in marketing and other written materials and verbally at all events

V. Application Due Date, Process, and Review

The AJS must receive applications by Tuesday, November 10, 2009.  Each institution will have a lead applicant, responsible for submitting all necessary materials.  Applications will be reviewed by a panel of senior Jewish studies scholars with expertise in public programming, Jewish studies program development, and community partnerships.  Proposals will be judged on the clarity, specificity, feasibility, and innovativeness of the proposed schedule of events, as well as the need demonstrated for such programming in the institution’s community.

Support for the Legacy Heritage Jewish Studies Project is generously provided by Legacy Heritage Fund Limited.

Submission Instructions

Application Cover Sheet

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