Funding Initiative Patrimonies

Background Funding Initiative Patrimonies

The Patrimonies funding initiative considers projects that focus on the preservation of historical cultural heritage first and foremost in crisis regions and, in some cases, should for the first time enable scientific research in the fields of history, archaeology, and art history. In this context, the Foundation supports measures that make a contribution to preserving cultural heritage, augmenting scientific infrastructure, educating young scientists and establishing networks in science, politics and society in the regions in question. The programme is not officially announced, but is being developed step by step in collaboration with selected partners. As an operationally geared programme, by supporting smaller projects »Patrimonies« offers an opportunity, on the one hand, for fast and flexible responses to emergencies and acute threat to cultural heritage and, on the other, for larger projects to be developed with appropriate lead times.

 

Geographical Focus

The programme is international in focus and is intended to be active first and foremost in crisis regions as well as in countries which do not have the capacity to preserve their own cultural heritage themselves. Moreover, the »Patrimonies« programme is intended to have a preventive function wherever possible. The Foundation aims to be active in those countries and regions where preservation measures, owing to threatening political and armed conflict, for instance, are urgently necessary or expected to be necessary in coming years.

Requirements

There is no formal applications procedure for the »Patrimonies« funding initiative. Projects are developed jointly with the Foundation. In all projects receiving funding, applications must be submitted from the target countries. In case of cooperation projects, several applicants from different countries can jointly submit an application. To ensure sustainable implementation of supported projects, those responsible in the target country (e.g. administrations, local communities) should be involved. Local (financial) contributions and the long-term assumption of responsibility for the respective cultural heritage are to be shown. This aims to ensure that all projects take into account local circumstances and concentrate on the specific requirements of the region. The funding provided should be brought to bear primarily in the regions in question.

Implementation

  • Preservation, restoration, and research on endangered buildings and objects
  • Digitisation, conservation, documentation and accompanying research on material sources. (Applications for digitization and cataloguing are only possible in connection with further measures to secure archives and collections. A clear digitization strategy based on international standards must be proven.)
  • Documentation and research on collections of oral sources
  • Training and further education are only supported in the context of specific preservation projects, emergency measures or for the purpose of forming academic networks, e.g.:
    • Training and further education for young scientists, particularly in the field of archaeology, history, art history, historical construction research/monument preservation
    • Training and further education of specialists for measures accompanying research (e. g. restorers, curators, geo-physicians)
  • Trips/workshops to prepare projects and collaborations and for training purposes
  • Site management and building measures (in individual cases)

 

Funding can only be provided for projects where there is scientific guidance (except in cases where only material resources are provided).

What shall not be funded?

The following shall not be funded (among others):

  • Projects that focus exclusively on research work and seek only to result in academic publication
  • Projects that are not initiated and requested from the relevant regions initially described
  • Publications unrelated to previously funded projects
  • Database projects with no recognisable research approach
  • Digitization and cataloguing projects without a strategy to preserve the original documents
  • Training courses unrelated to specific cultural preservation projects
  • Exclusively linguistic projects (research into threatened languages)
  • Film projects
  • Exhibitions
  • Collections of modern art
  • Purchase of collections/libraries
  • Establishment of research institutes
  • Measures aimed exclusively at equipping/improving the infrastructure of museums or research institutes
  • Events unrelated to a funded project

Type of the funding

Funding may include:

  • Material aid, including costs for conservation and restoration work
  • Personnel costs, preferably for service contracts and scholarships
  • Grants to support the costs for research and training residencies
  • Travel expenses

The amounts for fees, allowances, and special service contracts are based on local conditions and need to be calculated by the research partner. Scholarships are also based on local conditions and are granted up to the limit of the Foundations regular scholarships rates.

What is not eligible for support?

  • no positions for project participants subject to mandatory social insurance
  • no overhead-costs
  • no college or tuition fees

Application and Deadlines

The administrative office will provide information on the relevant deadlines and documents to be submitted after reviewing the respective preliminary inquiry.

Decision

The Foundation's Board of Trustees decides on the initiatives on the basis of a recommendation by an Advisory Committee.

Members of the Advisory Committee:

Dr Julia Gonnella | Doha
Prof Hans Leisen | Cologne
Prof Elísio Macamo | Basel
Prof Karoline Noack | Bonn
Prof Sabine Freifrau von Schorlemer | Dresden

Examples of Funding

Examples of funded projects can be found in the L.I.S.A.Dossier Patrimonies.

Important note on submitting applications

Please note that there is no formal applications procedure for the Funding Initiative Patrimonies. Projects are developed jointly with the Foundation. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Foundation’s office and to send us a short description of your project by email.

Contact Persons Patrimonies

Dr Anna-Monika Lauter
Head of Operative Programmes
lauter@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de

Bettina Elsper
Project Manager Funding Initiative Patrimonies
elsper@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de

Franziska Kothe, M.A.
Project Manager Operative Programmes
kothe@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de

General Information for Applicants and Beneficiaries

Frequently asked questions

General questions regarding the application

Can I apply with one and the same research project for support from several of the Foundation’s programmes?
A simultaneous application with different research projects is in principle possible as long as no scholarship is earmarked for the applicant him/herself.

What is the difference between a research project and a research scholarship?
Applications for research projects can be made by universities, other research institutes or comparable institutions as well as by one or several Postdocs or scholars with Post-Doctoral Lecture Qualification. By contrast, a research scholarship should be applied for by one scholar alone for a project that he conducts himself. Applications for research scholarships can be made directly by Postdocs or scholars with Post-Doctoral Lecture Qualification. A research scholarship is usually applied for by one scholar who will work on a specific project on his own.

In which languages does the Foundation correspond?
German and English.

Should application documents and references be submitted in English or German?
The Foundation accepts both, although German is preferred where possible.

Are there formal requirements on how the application documents should be compiled?
The project description should not be longer than 8 pages. Documents should have at least font size 11 and line spacing 1.5. Please read carefully all instructions in the section general references.

Should the proposal include a detailed list of publications or is it enough to note the cited references in footnotes? Is an additional list of publications with for the project relevant references necessary?
It is sufficient to note the references of the proposal in footnotes. A list of publications with for the project relevant references can but must not be submitted.

What should my working plan and schedule include?
They should include detailed information about the work stages planned for the period of funding, including research trips and their planned duration.

Do I have to include the scholarships for the staff members in the cost calculation of the research project or do they have to apply separately for a PhD or research scholarship?
Please budget the scholarships as part of the research project funding. The staff members do not have to apply separately for a PhD or research scholarship.

Does the Foundation pay for childcare during the period for which a stipend is awarded?
Foundation stipend holders working on Ph.D. or research projects receive a family grant on presentation of the child’s/children’s birth certificate(s). The grant is paid for children who have not yet turned 18.

What is the Foundation’s policy is a stipend holder becomes a parent during the period for which a stipend is awarded?
The period of support for Foundation stipend holders working on Ph.D. or research projects can be extended by up to 12 months if the holder becomes a parent during the period covered by the stipend and has an entitlement to maternity or parental leave. Individual arrangements must be discussed with the Foundation’s administrative office.

Does the Foundation cover overhead costs?
No, the Foundation does not cover overhead costs.

Can anyone request funding for printing?
Publishing aid can only be claimed for projects which are already receiving funding from the Gerda Henkel Foundation. However, not all projects will be awarded funding for printing as the current budget for publishing aid is extremely limited.

Does the Foundation sponsor individual journeys to participate in scientific conferences?
At present travel expenses are only paid for larger research projects or PhD and research scholarships. Funding applications for independent trips to participate in conferences/congresses are in principle not considered.

What happens to my submission if it is incomplete?
Incomplete submissions will not be considered and will be put back to the next selection round. Incomplete applications for PhD scholarships will not be considered any more after the expiration of one year.

Does the Foundation provide reasons for refusing applications?
The Academic Committee’s deliberations are confidential so the Foundation does not provide detailed reasons for refusals.

General questions regarding the applications for scholarships

In which case can I apply for an overseas bonus?
Should a recipient of a scholarship leave the country of her/his principal residence and spend more than four weeks abroad for research purposes, the Foundation shall grant a flat-rate overseas bonus. This should be seen as an extension to the scholarship, intended to cover the extra costs of food and accommodation. The Foundation shall not cover any accommodation costs for that period if an overseas bonus has been granted.

Can I apply for funding of college or tuition fees?
No, the Foundation does not cover college or tuition fees.

If I am given a doctoral grant, do I have to start my doctorate immediately?
Doctorates must be started within twelve months of the grant being agreed.

Questions regarding letters of recommendation

Who can write letters of recommendation?
Applicants are free to choose a relevant expert. The Foundation does not make recommendations in this regard.

What should be included in letters of recommendation or references and what form should they take?
The Foundation has no specific requirements as far as references are concerned. Referees generally provide an assessment of the quality of the project and the applicant’s qualifications.

In what form should letters of recommendation be submitted?
Letters of recommendation must be uploaded via the online recommendation form by their authors with a personal signature. Please do not additionally send the documents by email and/or postal mail.

Can authors send their letters of recommendation to the Foundation via email?
Letters of recommendation can be uploaded via the online recommendation form. They must in all cases be signed by the author.

Should letters of recommendation be submitted in English or German?
The Foundation accepts both, although German is preferred where possible.

Do you accept letters of recommendation from abroad?
Yes.

Do you accept letters of recommendation from other subject areas?
Yes.

Which certifications should be submitted when I am applying for a PhD scholarship?
Please send in certificate(s) of the university degree qualifying for PhD studies (or seminar attendance certificates for direct doctorates). Please send us copies, references do not have to be attested. Please do not send certificates of High School Leaving, Bachelor certificates, internships, seminar grades (only necessary for direct doctorates) and employment references.

Specific questions regarding research scholarships

Can I apply for a research scholarship when I have not yet finished my PhD?
No. Applications for research scholarships can only be made by Postdocs or scholars with Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification.

What is  the definition for "Post Doctoral Lecture Qualification"?
The higher grant rate is approved after successful conclusion of the professorial examinations (habilitation) process and/or alternatively at the earliest after positive interim evaluation for a junior professorship. For applicants from academic systems that do not envisage habilitations, the Foundation recognizes holding a tenured position as an associate professor or as a full professor or distinguished professor (in the US system) or as a senior lecturer or as a reader/professor (in the Commonwealth system) as an equivalent of passing junior professorial examinations. The administration of the Foundation can in individual cases assess other national qualification levels.

Must my dissertation be published even though I obtained my PhD abroad?
Yes, for PhDs obtained abroad the dissertation must also have been published prior to application.

Which forms of publication are accepted?
The dissertation should be published as an electronic or printed monograph and be freely accessible. Essays published on the dissertation, printed specimen copies or the submission of a publishing contract will not be accepted.

Questions regarding grants in general

What should I do once I have received the letter of approval?
Please let us know by postmail whether you accept the grant and the terms of appropriation. If you do accept, please also supply your current bank details and include when you wish payments to start. Please note that all credit transfers and standing orders are being switched over to the pan-European SEPA system. Instead of a bank sort code and account number, the Foundation requires the IBAN and BIC details. You will find the corresponding information on your account statement and possibly on your bank card.

What are my obligations if I accept the funding?
You must inform the Foundation of any changes which have a bearing on the payment of the grant or the amount paid. Teaching positions and other employment must be agreed with the Foundation if they exceed an average of 5 hours a week.

Can I work during the grant period?
Yes, as long as the employment does not exceed an average of five hours a week.

How should references be made to the Foundation in my work?
We ask that the Foundation be mentioned in any publications that arise from the funded project. The Foundation should also be included in the imprint of any publications for which publishing aid was supplied. For other media, such as conference posters or flyers, please use the logo available on our website. Please also mention the Foundation at events and in any contact with journalists (e.g. via your university’s press office), including in any press releases.

Can the grant or parts thereof be used for other purposes?
No. The grant is only to be used for the purposes detailed in the letter of approval.

Can grants be transferred to overseas accounts?
Yes. Please supply your SWIFT/BIC code and IBAN. We would however prefer to make transfers to a German account.

Do I have to take out insurance if I am awarded a grant or does the Foundation cover those costs?
As grant recipients are not technically employed by the Foundation, national insurance contributions are not paid. The Foundation recommends that all grant recipients take out medical insurance. No additional funding is available for these costs.

Invoices

How do I write an invoice?
Invoices for travel and material costs must take the form of a detailed list of expenses with brief explanations and numbered receipts attached.

What kind of information about my bank account do I have to submit?
Please note that all credit transfers and standing orders are being switched over to the pan-European SEPA system. Instead of a bank sort code and account number, the Foundation requires the IBAN and BIC details. You will find the corresponding information on your account statement and possibly on your bank card. Please send us these details or submit them with your next invoice.

Do original receipts have to be sent?
Generally yes. Should third parties need the originals for billing purposes (e.g. university offices), please submit copies and ensure that the originals are held for at least ten years in case they need to be checked.

Will my family’s costs be reimbursed for research trips?
No. These must be covered by the grant recipient.

Special programme Patrimonies

Can foreign scholars also apply for funding?
Yes. Applications can be made independently of the applicant’s nationality and the location of his/her workplace. Within the Patrimonies funding initiative, partners from the countries in question must either be the applicants or closely involved in the research work as cooperation partners.

What do I do if I am unsure whether my topic falls within the Foundation’s funding area?
Regarding the Patrimonies funding initiative you must in any case first contact the Foundation.

Are there any content-related requirements for structuring/organising the exposé?
No, there are no content-related requirements. Please consult the document “Applications in the ‘Patrimonies’ Funding Initiative”, which you will receive after contacting the Foundation.

How do I apply for funding for travel and equipment/materials?
In the form of a cost breakdown that is as precise as possible, and listing all the individual items. Items should be grouped into type of cost. For applications in the Patrimonies funding initiative the overall costs at least must be stated in Euro. Please consult the document “Template_Patrimonies_Cost Plan”, which you will receive after contacting the Foundation.

Can I apply to have my own position financed?
According to a resolution by the Foundation committees, the Foundation shall not provide funds for the financing of positions at research facilities. Within the Patrimonies funding initiative staff funds for posts in the countries in question may be applied for in justified individual cases.

Can project staff be financed via positions?
According to a resolution by the Foundation committees, for project staff solely PhD or research scholarships may be applied for. One requirement for funding is that project staff conduct their own research, which is published under their own name. Within the Patrimonies funding initiative staff funds for posts in the countries in question may be applied for in justified individual cases.

Can I receive a scholarship and hold a post at the same time?
It is in principle not possible to receive both a scholarship and a salary. Within the Patrimonies funding initiative it is possible in justified individual cases and on a small scale for staff in the countries in question to receive both a scholarship and a salary.

Can I receive a scholarship and draw an old-age pension at the same time?
It is in principle not possible to both receive a scholarship and draw a pension. Within the Patrimonies funding initiative it is possible in justified individual cases and on a small scale for staff in the countries in question to both receive a scholarship and draw a pension.

General questions