International Institute for Holocaust Research (IIHR)

Research and publications on the Shoah have always been high priorities of Yad Vashem since its official founding by the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) in 1953.  Due to the increase of international interest in the Shoah, the desire to encourage and support worldwide scholarly research on the Shoah and related topics, Yad Vashem established the International Institute for Holocaust Research in 1993.  The Institute is active in the development and coordination of International research; the planning and undertaking of scholarly projects; the organization of symposia, conferences, and seminars; the fostering of cooperative projects among research institutions; financial and academic support for scholars and students of the Shoah; offering MA, PhD and postdoctoral fellowships; and publishing academic research, documentation, conference anthologies, diaries, memoirs, and albums about the Shoah.     

Professor Israel Gutman, survivor, was head of the Institute from 1993 to 1996, and is continuing his active role at Yad Vashem in an advisory capacity. Professor Yehuda Bauer became head of the Institute in 1996 and is currently serving as an academic advisor. Professor David Bankier was the head of the Institute from 2000 until his death on 27 February 2010. Professor Dan Michman, former Chief Historian of Yad Vashem, was made head of the Institute in 2011.  He is also the incumbent of the John Najmann Chair of Holocaust Studies.  The purpose of the Najmann Chair is to support the goals and activities of the International Institute for Holocaust Research.