Dr. Hermann David and Dalia Karplus
Research Fellowship
Dr. Hermann David Karplus (1945–2015) was a dedicated researcher of Viennese Jewish history. He spent the final years of his life documenting the Leopoldstadt Synagogue in Vienna, culminating in the comprehensive book Der Leopoldstädter Tempel: Eine Dokumentation, published posthumously in 2025 by his wife Dalia.
While preparing the manuscript of the book, Karplus conducted extensive research at the Archives of the Jewish People (AJP), focusing on the archive of the Jewish Community of Vienna.
Karplus’s work continues to serve as an important resource for researchers, heritage professionals, and the general public seeking to learn the story of Viennese Jewry.
To honor the memory of her late husband, Dr. Hermann Karplus, Dalia Karplus-Feuchtwanger sought to commemorate his legacy by establishing a fellowship at the Archives of the Jewish People, a place where the two cities that he loved so much - Vienna and Jerusalem - meet.
The fellowship will provide research grants to scholars making use of the archive, and will focus on Hermann's areas of interest, including the history of Vienna and its Jewish community, the Jews of the Habsburg Empire, as well as synagogues and cemeteries in Central Europe.
Selected fellows will receive a €3,500 research grant, including a two-week residency at the AJP in Jerusalem.
Explore rare and unique archival collections at the world’s leading archive of Central European Jewry.
Access to the National Library of Israel’s extensive, diverse, and unique resources.
Individual guidance from an archivist at the Library and Archives.
A research grant and archival residency dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of Viennese and Habsburg Jewry
Application Requirements
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Curriculum Vitae including educational background, language proficiency, and a list of publications.
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Research proposal.
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A personal statement explaining the importance of specific AJP archives to your research.
A letter of recommendation.
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Important note: All materials required for consideration must be uploaded through the online application form.
Award & Benefits
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A unique opportunity for a research fellowship at the AJP – the main repository worldwide of archival documentation on Central European Jewry.
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Access to the National Library of Israel’s extensive, diverse, and unique resources.
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A research grant of €3,500.
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Close guidance by a personal archivist and a reference librarian.
Eligibility & Ideal Candidates
Non-Israeli residents who fall into one of the following categories:
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Master's research students.
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PhD candidates.
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Early-career post-doctoral researchers.
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Independent scholars and untenured staff.
Terms and Conditions
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Terms
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Recipients will be selected by an independent committee based on the academic merit and professional qualifications of their applications.
The committee may decide not to select any candidate, distribute the full amount of the grant, or defer the distribution to a later cycle, if it determines that there are no suitable candidates or that there is another professional justification for so doing. -
The fellowship award will be paid in two installments: 50% at the beginning of the research period and 50% upon submission and approval of the research summary.
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The scholarship constitutes the full amount of funding awarded to recipients. No additional payments, reimbursements, or expense refunds (including on account of travel or accommodations) will be provided beyond the scholarship amount.
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Conditions
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Recipients must spend at least two weeks in residence at the AJP-NLI in Jerusalem, subject to the archive’s operating hours.
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Recipients must submit a research summary no later than two months after completing their research stay.
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Recipients may be invited to give a public lecture.
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Recipients must acknowledge the fellowship in any research summary, publication, or other output resulting from research supported by the fellowship.
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By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge and agree to all of the terms and conditions outlined above.
Applications for the fellowship must be submitted by November 16th 2026. Decisions will be announced in early 2027
We look forward to receiving proposals that will make a substantial contribution to scholarship and public knowledge. A PDF version of the Call for Proposals is also available for download.