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UJS wins £1m government contract to lead campus antisemitism training
There has been a surge in antisemitic incidents on campus since October 7
July 29, 2025 11:05
There has been a surge in antisemitic incidents on campus since October 7
July 29, 2025 11:05The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) has won a £1 million competitive government contract to lead antisemitism awareness training across English universities over the next three years.
The tender marks a significant expansion of UJS’s work educating against antisemitism on campus, positioning the organisation as the government’s official partner in delivering comprehensive training to university staff and students.
UJS said the grant “underscores the government’s commitment to tackling antisemitism in higher education and recognises UJS’s unique position as the representative body for Jewish students, with deep understanding of the challenges they face on campus”.
Developed in partnership with the Department for Education, the new training programme, delivered by UJS, would enable the student organisation to create “new streams of engagement and delivery, implement innovative new methods and reach more campuses than ever before”, UJS said.
The body will be recruiting five new staff members to support the rollout and UJS President Louis Danker said the grant amounted to a “landmark moment for Jewish students across the country”.
The government’s recognition, he said, “validates what we’ve known for years – that UJS is uniquely positioned to tackle antisemitism on campus through education and awareness. Our training programmes have made a real difference, and this funding will mean that even more students and staff will benefit from our expertise. We’re excited to welcome new team members who will help us deliver this vital work at a time when it’s needed more than ever.”
Since October 7, Jewish students have experienced an uptick in antisemitism on campus, with 45 per cent of students surveyed in an informal poll by the JC in collaboration with UJS saying they had experienced anti-Jewish abuse.
Minister of State for Skills Jacqui Smith said: “Antisemitism has no place in our universities or anywhere in society and we are taking action to confront it head on. By training staff to recognise and address antisemitism, this crucial work will help ensure Jewish students feel safe, supported and able to participate fully in university life.
"Universities have a duty to protect freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law, but we have been clear that this does not extend to unlawful hate speech or incitement of hatred against any individual or group.”
UJS, the oldest Jewish students’ union in the world, represents some 10,000 Jewish students in over 85 Jewish societies across the UK and Ireland.
Delivery of the programme is expected to begin in autumn 2025.
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