École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem

What École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem does

École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem (ÉBAF) is a Dominican-run academic research and educational institution founded in 1890 by Fr. Marie-Joseph Lagrange, OP. It is headquartered at the Convent of Saint-Étienne Protomartyr in Jerusalem (83-85 Nablus Road, Israel) and is physically domiciled in Israel while retaining its French institutional identity. ÉBAF conducts advanced research and teaching in biblical studies (Old and New Testament), archaeology of the Holy Land, ancient Near Eastern studies, Jewish literature and exegesis, and cognate languages (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, Ugaritic). The institution offers graduate diplomas, certificates, doctoral preparation (canonical licence), and research stays, and operates a specialized research library with a map library (Cartothèque), archival holdings, and an extensive photographic archive of archaeological sites. Its flagship scholarly projects include La Bible en ses Traditions (BEST), a collaborative critical-edition program uniting Jewish and Christian scholarly traditions, and the continuing Jerusalem Bible publication tradition. Field archaeology is conducted in the Holy Land, including coordinated Saturday site visits for participants.

ÉBAF's service portfolio includes academic programs and diplomas, the ÉBAF Library (Carteothèque and photothèque), bi-monthly public Thursday lectures, the annual Lagrange Lectures launched in 2017, archaeological research activities, the BEST research program, the Photographic Collection, public Saturday site visits, and student residence accommodation. The institution operates as a non-profit religious and academic entity; it does not sell commercial products. Revenue mechanics rely on tax-deductible donations routed through "Friends of ÉBAF" supporter associations in France, the USA, Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland, modest tuition and academic-program fees, and bursary/scholarship grants from partners such as the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres (AIBL). Stated headcount is 11 employees.

Distribution is direct and on-site at the Jerusalem campus, supplemented by digital channels (multilingual website in French, English, Arabic, and Hebrew; a YouTube channel for lecture recordings; Twitter/X @EBAFJerusalem; the La Lettre de l'École monthly newsletter). Strategic collaborations are anchored with the Dominican Order network and with peer institutions including Studium Biblicum Franciscanum (annual Dies Academicus, ~120 participants), Institut Français du Proche-Orient (IFPO), Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), Université de Fribourg, Institut Catholique de Paris, Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum), Polis – Jerusalem Institute, and academic associations such as AABNER. Customer concentration is distributed across individual graduate students, doctoral researchers, visiting scholars, and the global donor/supporter community rather than any single enterprise or government sponsor.

Name

École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem

Legal name

École Biblique et Archéologique Française de Jérusalem

Website

https://ebaf.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1890

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ÉBAF is a Dominican-run academic research institution founded in 1890 in Jerusalem, offering graduate diplomas, research stays, and field archaeology in biblical studies, Jewish literature, and the ancient Near East, funded by donations through Friends-of-ÉBAF associations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Higher Education and Biblical Research

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Theological Universities & Pontifical Universities (EDAHAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL)

Keywords

• Biblical studies education
• Archaeological research
• Religious higher education
• Holy land archaeology
• Theological research

Headquarters

HQ city

Jerusalem

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

\u00c9BAF is a Dominican-run academic research institution offering residential graduate-level diplomas, certificates, and doctoral preparation in biblical studies, archaeology, Old Testament, New Testament, Jewish literature, and ancient Near Eastern studies at its Jerusalem campus. The institution maintains a world-class specialized library, conducts field archaeology in the Holy Land, produces scholarly publications including the La Bible en ses Traditions (BEST) critical edition project and The Jerusalem Bible, and hosts public lecture series for scholars and the broader public.

Product overview

École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem is an academic Dominican research and educational institution offering programs in biblical studies, archaeology, and related disciplines. The institution provides academic diplomas and certificates, maintains a specialized library, and conducts archaeological research. Its product portfolio includes public lecture series (Thursday Lectures and Lagrange Lectures), the La Bible en ses Traditions (BEST) scholarly edition project, The Jerusalem Bible publication, and the Photographic Collection archive. Additional services include student residence accommodation and Saturday site visits. The institution functions primarily as an educational and research center rather than a technology products company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Programs and Diplomas

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Les Amis de l'École biblique (Friends of ÉBAF – France)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganized association of supporters in France that promotes the work of ÉBAF and facilitates tax-deductible donations (via HelloAsso platform). Organizes events and the annual general assembly.
• American Friends of the École BibliquecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotes the work of ÉBAF among American supporters and provides annual financial support to fund the library, specific projects, and assistance for students, researchers, and professors. Contact: [email protected]. Donations can be sent to American Friends of the Ecole Biblique.
• Canadian Friends of the École Biblique (CFEB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOffers annual financial support of varying amounts for Canadian students, researchers, and professors who wish to stay at ÉBAF. Applications are submitted to [email protected]. Tax-deductible donations available in Canada via cfebweb.ca.
• Solidarité-Orient (Belgium)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerBelgian Catholic organization that provides aid to Christian communities of the Near and Middle East and supports ÉBAF. Contact: Christian Cannuyer at [email protected]. Offers 'don attribué' (attributed donation) options to support ÉBAF.
• ÉBAF Switzerland Support (via Fr. Jean-Michel Poffet, OP)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerContact point for supporters in Switzerland who wish to make donations to ÉBAF. Fr. Jean-Michel Poffet, OP, based at Couvent saint Hyacinthe, coordinates Swiss support ([email protected]).
• Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres (AIBL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious French academic society (Institut de France). ÉBAF collaborates with AIBL through the AIBL-boursier (AIBL scholarship) program, which funds researchers and students at ÉBAF. The Master of AIBL, Fr. Louis Chevillard, gave a conference at ÉBAF in April 2026.
• Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Catholic higher education institution partnering with ÉBAF on academic initiatives and research collaboration.
• Université de FribourgsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss university with which ÉBAF maintains academic ties. ÉBAF faculty and students have connections with Fribourg's theology faculty, and the university participates in joint academic events.
• Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance's national library collaborates with ÉBAF as part of the institutional partner network displayed on ÉBAF's website, supporting research and archival activities.
• IFPO – Institut Français du Proche-OrientcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French research institute in the Near East. ÉBAF collaborates with IFPO on archaeological research (e.g., René Elter's work) and shares research activities. IFPO and ÉBAF are both French institutions active in Jerusalem.
• Studium Biblicum Franciscanum (SBF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranciscan biblical and archaeological institute in Jerusalem. ÉBAF and SBF hold an annual joint Dies Academicus (academic opening session) bringing together ~120 students and professors from both institutions for shared conferences and fraternité. Fr. Rosario Pierri, OFM (Dean of SBF) and Fr. Olivier Poquillon, OP (Director of ÉBAF) co-host these events.
• Polis – Jerusalem InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institute founded by Christophe Rico (ÉBAF professor of Greek) dedicated to biblical and linguistic research. Operates in Jerusalem in close collaboration with ÉBAF. Christophe Rico serves as Dean of Polis and professor at ÉBAF.
• Biblicum – Pontifical Biblical Institute (Rome/Jerusalem)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPontifical Biblical Institute, a major biblical research institution. ÉBAF collaborates with Biblicum through academic exchanges and joint lectures (e.g., scholars from Biblicum participate in ÉBAF Thursday lectures).
• Fondation de l'Œuvre d'OrientsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench Catholic foundation supporting Christian communities in the Orient. Organizes events featuring ÉBAF (e.g., a conference by former director Fr. Jean-Jacques Pérennès in Metz on Christians in the Middle East) and supports ÉBAF's mission.
• DomUNI – Universitas MiguelisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistance learning university. Listed as an institutional partner on ÉBAF's website, suggesting some form of academic collaboration or program distribution.
• Facoltà Teologica di Lugano (FTL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss theological faculty listed as institutional partner on ÉBAF's website.
• AABNER – Association for the Analysis and Study of the Bible in its Near Eastern SettingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic association focused on biblical analysis in its Near Eastern context, listed as institutional partner on ÉBAF's website.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Studium Biblicum Franciscanum: The Franciscan counterpart to ÉBAF in Jerusalem; runs competing biblical and archaeological academic programs and co-hosts an annual Dies Academicus with ÉBAF. Most direct geographic and functional peer.
• Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum): Rome-based (with Jerusalem branch) Pontifical institute offering advanced biblical degrees; collaborates with ÉBAF on lectures and competes for postgraduate students in biblical studies.
• W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research: American schools of oriental research institution in Jerusalem conducting archaeological fieldwork and hosting research fellows; operates a similar residential-research model and competes for visiting scholars.
• Polis – Jerusalem Institute: Founded by ÉBAF's own Greek professor Christophe Rico; adjacent academic institute in Jerusalem focused on biblical and linguistic research, with overlapping faculty and mission.
• Institut Français du Proche-Orient (IFPO): Major French CNRS umbrella research institute in the Levant that co-conducts archaeological research with ÉBAF and serves a similar French/academic scholar community in Jerusalem.

Regional players

• Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies: Catholic research institute in Toronto (Canada) with overlapping scholarly audience and donor geography (Canadian Friends of ÉBAF channels support into comparable institutions); useful as a comparable Catholic academic fundraising model.

Broad incumbents

• American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR): Larger US-based umbrella for Near Eastern archaeology with significantly greater endowment and grant funding; broader geographic scope but overlapping research community and student pipeline.
• Israel Antiquities Authority: Israeli state authority overseeing archaeological excavation and heritage; significant overlap in Holy Land archaeological fieldwork and access rights that materially affect ÉBAF's research operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EBAFJerusalem
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ecolebibliqueetarcheologique/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/%C3%A9cole-biblique-et-arch%C3%A9ologique-fran%C3%A7aise-de-j%C3%A9rusalem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem