The Baumanis Grant for Creative Projects in Baltic Studies

The Baumanis Grant is an award made to honor Velta Marija Baumanis of Mount Brydges, Ontario, who left a generous bequest to AABS at the end of her career as an architect. An award of up to $7,000 is available for any creative project (e.g., book, film, exhibit, etc.) that promotes Baltic studies. Preference will be given to topics with a pan-Baltic or comparative aspect. Applicants must be members of the AABS at the time of application.

The application deadline for academic year 2025-2026 is April 1, 2025. Applications will be evaluated by the AABS 2024–2026 Grants Committee consisting of AABS VP for Professional Development Dr. Kaarel Piirimäe, AABS President Dr. Jörg Hackmann, and AABS Director-at-Large Dr. Dovilė Budrytė. Award notifications will be made in May 2025.

AWARD: Up to $7,000

Application deadline

The application deadline for academic year 2025-2026 is February 1, 2025.

Award notifications will be made in April 2025.

Eligibility:

The award is available for any creative project (e.g., book, film, exhibit, etc.) that promotes Baltic studies. Preference will be given to topics with a pan-Baltic or comparative aspect.

Applicants must be current AABS members at the time of application.

Application process:

1.  Check that your AABS membership is active and complete the online grant application form.

2. The application must include a proposal packet (single PDF file, up to 5 pages), which must address the following:

a) The goal(s) of the project

b) The uniqueness or significance of the topic

c) Contribution to the advancement of Baltic Studies

d) Budget for the project (including information about other funding sought or obtained)

e) The anticipated timeline

f) The preparations already undertaken or anticipated

g) The qualifications and experience of the applicant (a 2-page curriculum vitae may be appended instead of or in addition to this section of the proposal)

Supplementary materials may be requested, if the award committee wishes clarification of certain points or examples of previous work by the applicant. Applicants (whether successful or not) may apply to this program only once for a particular project.

The award will be paid in a single installment, in the currency of the recipient’s choice, with the cost of transfer and exchange borne by AABS. Any tax liability in the recipient’s home country is the responsibility of the recipient.

By accepting a Baumanis Grant, the recipient will enter into a binding contract with the AABS to complete the project and submit a report on the outcome. Failure to do so within a year of the applicant’s originally anticipated completion date will result in the automatic conversion of the grant to a loan which must be repaid to the AABS in full, with interest, within three years of the conversion date, unless an application for an extension of the deadline has submitted to the AABS before the year-long grace period expires and is subsequently approved by the AABS award committee.

Thinking of applying? Read reports from past winners here!

Questions? Email us at [email protected].

Soviet Postmodern Architecture in the Baltic: Baumanis Grant Report from Megija Mīlberga

AABS is pleased to congratulate Megija Mīlberga for completing her pan-Baltic architectural history project, for which she received the Baumanis Grant for Creative Projects in Baltic Studies. In cooperation with photographer Filips Smits, Mīlberga set out to...

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