International
Postdoctoral
Fellowships
The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship supports the best and brightest minds in their postdoctoral research, connecting them with world-class academics and leading researchers.
The fellowship provides generous funding for eligible international applicants to conduct research in any academic discipline at accredited institutions in Israel, a country long recognized for outstanding achievements in research and higher education. The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded without regard to religion, gender, age or ethnicity.
Excellence
Azrieli Fellows are an elite group of top-tier academics focused on original, internationally recognized research that will have a positive impact on society.
Leadership
By enabling multidisciplinary study and the cross-pollination of ideas, the Azrieli Fellows aim to break down academic silos, encourage creative thinking and drive solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Innovation
Azrieli Fellows hold a unique approach to their research that pushes academic boundaries, out-of-the-box thinking and drives innovation.
The Azrieli Foundation selects Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellows according to a highly competitive selection process focused on academic and research excellence without regard to any institutional affiliations, race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or age. Candidates are assessed on their potential to make cutting-edge contributions to their respective fields. Personal merit and leadership abilities are also taken into consideration.
A maximum of 24 Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded each year: up to 18 fellowships in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), up to three in Humanities, and up to three in Social Sciences.
At the time of application, all applicants are required to have an academic sponsor who is a faculty member at one of the following Israeli institutions: Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of Haifa, Weizmann Institute of Science. The academic sponsor will confirm the candidate’s suitability, undertake to actively support, collaborate and share relevant expertise with the candidate, and ensure availability of facilities to carry out the proposed research. In STEM fields, the academic sponsor will undertake payment of 25% of the stipend, amounting to ILS 84,000 for two years.
The selection process will take place in four stages. At the end of each stage, a short list of candidates will advance to the next stage.
Assessment
Initial review of applications by a board of academics from a wide variety of disciplines. The preselection teams will closely assess the academic excellence and the quality of proposed research of the candidate.
Selection Committee Review
Short-listed applications are reviewed by multidisciplinary committees composed of internationally renowned scientists and scholars. The applications are divided among four committees: Life Sciences, Exact Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities.
Interviews
Candidates are interviewed individually by a Foundation-appointed interviewer who will discuss the personal merits of the candidate, specifically at the candidate’s leadership qualities, intellectual curiosity, engagement with society, and communication skills.
Final Selection
A panel of interviewers will meet with the finalists. The panel is comprised of representatives of the Azrieli Foundation, academic committees, the Senior Academic Advisor and experts on issues of leadership and personal merit.
Schedule
January and February 2021
Committee meetings and interviews
By December 1, 2020
Candidates are short-listed for review by the Selection Committee.
By February 15, 2021
Award notification
October 2021
Fellowships Commence
- The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to candidates who have received, or will receive, their PhD degrees at a recognized university in the EU or EFTA states, UK and Canada. Eligible countries include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK.
- The fellowship is offered for two years. Renewal for a third year will be considered favorably based on a competitive evaluation process. The official starting date of the fellowship is October 2021, which is the beginning of the Israeli academic year 2021-22. However, candidates may start their fellowship as early as June 2021 and no later than March 2022.
- The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to candidates who will perform their postdoctoral research at one of the following Israeli institutions: Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of Haifa, Weizmann Institute of Science.
- Candidates may apply up to four years after conferral of their PhD Diploma. In the current Call for Applications, the conferral date will be no later than October 15, 2020.
- Candidates who are currently in a PhD program are expected to complete their dissertation defense no later than June 30, 2021.
Financial Support
The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship is paid in Israeli Shekels (ILS) and is tax-free in Israel. The fellowship stipend is ILS 188,000 (approximately EUR 48,000) per academic year. This sum is divided into a monthly stipend of ILS 14,000. An additional sum of ILS 20,000 per year is reserved for research expenses and research-related travel. Fellows accompanied to Israel by companions or family members will receive an additional sum of ILS 20,000 per year. The Azrieli Foundation does not restrict candidates from holding other funding concurrently.
Maintaining high academic standards
Fellows are expected to maintain a high level of academic excellence at their host university throughout the program. This is evaluated through the progress reports to be submitted on a regular basis. Fellows are expected to be based in Israel for at least 75% of the fellowship period.
Participation in program-sponsored enrichment activities
The program activities and events are aimed at creating a welcoming, sociable environment, developing skills, promoting leadership and encouraging interdisciplinary research. Involvement in the program’s activities promotes interaction with researchers in a multi-disciplinary setting, introductions to world-renowned scientists and scholars, and networking with a vibrant community of scholars.
Community Engagement
Fellows are encouraged to engage with the local academic and general community in activities of voluntary, non-political/non-partisan nature. These might include giving public lectures about their research, mentoring younger researchers, being involved with the international academic community in Israel, etc.
Publication & Dissemination
Any publications that result from research activities conducted during the fellowship period must acknowledge the support of the Azrieli Foundation. Fellows may also be asked to submit an abstract of their dissertation and published works to the Azrieli Fellows Program management for use in publicity material produced by the program and on the Foundation website.
Alumni Activities
Fellows will become part of a growing global community of Azrieli Fellows, past and present, and act as ambassadors for the program. Azrieli Alumni often share their experiences with others, publicize the program to their colleagues and participate in information sessions for new candidates.
