Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholars Program: Israeli University Postdoc Track Grant

Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholars Program: Israeli University Postdoc Track Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Mortimer B Zuckerman Foundation
Amount: Up to US $126,000
Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Summary

The Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholars Program supports exceptional researchers from the U.S. and Canada to conduct postdoctoral studies at prestigious Israeli universities. This initiative aims to foster scientific collaboration and innovation between leading academic institutions in the U.S. and Israel. Selected scholars benefit from unique workshops and networking opportunities, enhancing their research capabilities and contributing to Israel's reputation in STEM fields. With a scholarship of $63,000 per academic year for two years, this program empowers the next generation of STEM leaders.

Overview

About The Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program supports future generations of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math in the United States and Israel and, over time, fosters greater collaboration between the world’s most advanced scientific research centers. Goals It is our goal to: Support future generations of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math in the United States and Israel.Foster greater collaboration between the world’s most advanced scientific research centers by attracting outstanding postdoctoral researchers from top universities, thus creating a cycle of excellence.Facilitate the return of top Israeli scholars to Israeli institutions, allowing them to compete with North American institutions for the most promising candidates, and cultivating world class scientific talent.Infuse a unique spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in our scholars.Enrich students in our program with high-quality programs, workshops, and world-class speakers.Empower Israeli leading centers for advanced STEM research, by providing vital talent and resources needed to develop top-tier research labs, projects and programs.Strengthen the international reputation of Israel’s higher education system and Israel’s diplomatic, social, and economic ties. Postdoctoral Scholars Program The Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholars Program attracts high-achieving postdoctoral scholars from premier universities in the United States and Canada to do research at one of eight Israeli universities. Once they complete their research, many Zuckerman postdocs are expected to accept faculty positions at top North American universities, weaving a network of academic collaboration and goodwill that will greatly benefit US-Israeli scientific cooperation. The program enriches scholars with high-quality workshops and world-class speakers. Zuckerman Scholars enjoy programming and activities organized especially for them by the program and their host universities in Israel, including touring, educational experiences, and social programs. These activities are designed to strengthen the scholars’ knowledge of and connection to Israel, as well as to foster new relationships cultivating an esprit de corps and encouraging the exchange of ideas. Candidates for the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program are assessed based on their academic and research achievements, as well as on personal merit and leadership qualities, without regard to race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or age. Israeli University Postdoc Track A two-year postdoctoral scholarship where scholars conduct research exclusively at one of eight participating Israeli universities. Funding $63,000 scholarship / academic year (up to two years)

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Postdoctoral candidates must be citizens of the United States or Canada or have a documented status that allows them to remain permanently in the US.Candidates must hold a PhD degree from a leading American or Canadian university, or if still studying for a PhD, must submit their PhD thesis before October 1. They should be planning to return to the United States or Canada to compete for an academic position.Postdoctoral candidates must obtain consent from a potential hosting supervisor at the Israeli university/universities to which they are applying.Participating Israeli universities are: Ariel UniversityBar-Ilan UniversityBen-Gurion University of the NegevUniversity of HaifaThe Hebrew University of JerusalemTechnion – Israel Institute of TechnologyTel Aviv UniversityWeizmann Institute of ScienceCandidates may apply to more than one of the above universities.

Ineligibility

Recipients may not accept other scholarships concurrently with the Zuckerman STEM scholarship.Israeli citizens are not eligible for this program.