Scoping Grants for Jewish Heritage Collections

Deadline: 31-Dec-2026

The Scoping Grants for Jewish Heritage Collections provide up to £5,000 to European not-for-profit organisations to survey and assess collections related to Jewish history, heritage, or culture. The grant enables organisations to commission expert analysis, produce professional scoping reports, and plan for potential future projects to enhance collection management and preservation.

Scoping Grants for Jewish Heritage Collections Overview

The Scoping Grants for Jewish Heritage Collections support not-for-profit organisations in Europe seeking to better understand, assess, and plan for collections relating to Jewish history, heritage, or culture. The grant helps institutions gain insights into under-documented or underdeveloped collections and enables informed decisions about conservation, access, and future development.

Purpose and Key Objectives

The primary goal of the grant is to support preliminary assessment and planning work. Key objectives include:

• Surveying Jewish heritage collections

• Commissioning expert analysis through external consultants

• Producing professional scoping reports

• Supporting preparatory work that may lead to larger future projects

This ensures organisations can make strategic decisions about collection management, preservation, and potential public engagement initiatives.

What the Grant Supports

The grant provides funding for activities related to professional assessment of Jewish collections, including:

• Hiring external experts to survey and analyse collections

• Consulting on collection condition, provenance, significance, and size

• Producing detailed scoping reports with recommendations for next steps

• Covering reasonable consultant expenses such as travel or research costs

Funding is intended to enable organisations to obtain actionable insights rather than implement larger-scale projects directly.

Funding Amount and Payment Structure

The Scoping Grant provides up to £5,000 per project.

• Payments are made directly to the applicant organisation once the consultant’s report has been submitted and approved.

• Consultant fees and reasonable expenses are covered, ensuring the organisation can commission high-quality expertise.

Who Is Eligible

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Operate as not-for-profit or charitable organisations based in Europe

• Include both EU and non-EU countries, excluding Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus

• Organisations must hold or demonstrate proof of not-for-profit or charitable status
  Eligible entities include:

• Registered charities

• Museums, libraries, and archives

• Universities and research institutes

• Cultural centres and similar institutions

Organisations still in the process of securing non-profit status will not receive payments until status is confirmed. Failure to obtain confirmation within three months of grant notification will result in cancellation.

Why This Grant Matters

Many Jewish heritage collections are under-documented, limiting their accessibility, preservation, and use in research or public engagement. This grant allows organisations to:

• Understand the significance of their collections

• Identify preservation needs and priorities

• Plan for future projects that enhance the use and management of Jewish heritage resources

By supporting early-stage assessment, the grant strengthens institutional capacity and ensures informed decision-making about collection development.

How the Grant Works

The grant follows a structured approach:

1. Organisation identifies a Jewish heritage collection needing assessment

2. An external consultant is appointed to survey and analyse the collection

3. The consultant prepares a professional scoping report with recommendations

4. The report is submitted and reviewed for approval

5. Payment is made to the organisation for consultant fees and reasonable expenses

How to Apply

Steps for applying include:

1. Confirm organisational eligibility and not-for-profit status

2. Identify collections for scoping and define assessment objectives

3. Prepare a concise application describing the collection and anticipated outcomes

4. Identify or propose an external consultant to carry out the assessment

5. Submit the application according to the published guidelines

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly describe the collection and its potential significance

• Demonstrate why external expertise is needed

• Outline anticipated outcomes and how recommendations will be implemented

• Ensure proof of not-for-profit or charitable status is provided

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete applications or missing documentation

• Requesting funds for activities beyond consultancy or preliminary assessment

• Failing to confirm non-profit or charitable status within the required timeframe

• Not providing a clear scope for the consultant’s work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Scoping Grants for Jewish Heritage Collections?

To help European not-for-profit organisations assess and understand Jewish heritage collections and plan for future projects.

How much funding is available?

Up to £5,000 to cover consultant fees and reasonable expenses.

Who can apply?

Not-for-profit organisations based in Europe (excluding Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus) with proof of charitable or non-profit status.

What activities are supported?

Hiring experts to survey collections, analysing condition, provenance, significance, and producing scoping reports with recommendations.

When is payment made?

Payments are made to the organisation after the consultant’s scoping report has been submitted and approved.

Can organisations without confirmed non-profit status apply?

Yes, but payments are conditional upon obtaining confirmation within three months of grant notification.

What must the scoping report include?

An overview of the collection, analysis of condition, size, provenance, significance, and clear recommendations for next steps.

Conclusion

The Scoping Grants for Jewish Heritage Collections empower European not-for-profit organisations to gain critical insights into under-documented Jewish heritage collections. By funding expert assessment and professional reporting, the grant strengthens institutional capacity, informs strategic planning, and lays the groundwork for future projects that enhance the preservation, understanding, and use of Jewish collections.

For more information, visit Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe.