Distinguished Scholar Fellowship
Israel
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars will be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Fulbright Israel plans to award up to eight fellowships to senior faculty members, senior professionals, or to accomplished artists or writers for visits to Israeli institutions of higher education to be carried out during the 2026-27 academic year. The fellowship is open to all fields of study. Scholars’ proposed activities may include research, lecturing, or a combination of lecturing and research.
Per Fulbright Israel policy, candidates should take into account that host institutions are obliged to make a financial contribution of $2,000 to the United States-Israel Educational Foundation (USIEF), also known as Fulbright Israel, which is credited towards the overall grant benefits. The matter of this mandatory contribution should be raised in preliminary discussions with potential hosts and the commitment to provide the funds should be included in the letter of invitation.
Assistant Professor or higher academic rank (or equivalent professional standing) with at least seven years of experience in a discipline or area of expertise. is required.
Please contact the Fulbright program in Israel at USPrograms@fulbright.org.il for assistance with identifying suitable host contacts or any questions related to the financial commitment.
Any accredited institution of higher education. Visit Study in Israel for a complete list of such institutions.
Four months
Grants can begin between the period July 2026 - May 2027, as agreed upon with the host institution.
Applications are sought in all disciplines.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
A letter of invitation from an accredited Israeli institution of higher education is required at the time of application. Each candidate is responsible for the arrangement of his/her institutional affiliations in Israel independently, including development of the work program for the proposed visit through contacts with possible host institutions.
Per Fulbright Israel policy, host institutions are required to make a financial contribution of $2,000 to the United States-Israel Educational Foundation (USIEF), also known as Fulbright Israel, which is credited towards the overall grant benefits. The matter of this mandatory contribution should be raised in preliminary discussions with potential hosts and the commitment to provide the funds should be included in the letter of invitation.
Please contact the Fulbright program in Israel at USPrograms@fulbright.org.il for assistance with identifying suitable host contacts or any questions related to the financial commitment.
At least seven years of experience in a discipline or area of expertise by application deadline.
Assistant Professor or higher academic rank (or equivalent professional standing) is required.
For Tel Aviv University, Associate Professor or higher academic rank (or equivalent professional standing) is required. The Mortimer and Raymond Sackler Institute of Advanced Studies will be the official host of the fellow and the contact at the university, while the hosting academic unit is responsible for providing office and/or laboratory space.
- $6,000/month for unaccompanied grantees
- $6,500/month for grantees accompanied by one dependent
- $7,000/month for grantees accompanied by two or more dependents
Reimbursement of Travel expenses of up to $1,700 (U.S. – Israel for Fulbright fellows (and spouses)
Reimbursement of airfare expenses (U.S. – Israel, under the Fly America act) for spouse.
Partial reimbursement of education expenses and fees for up to two accompanying dependents in grades K-12.
- Limited accident and medical coverage for the grantee only
- Fulbright Israel-sponsored arrival orientation
- Opportunities to participate in multiple cultural and academic events organized by Fulbright Israel
Israel
The United States–Israel Educational Foundation (USIEF), also known as Fulbright Israel, was established in 1956 by the governments of the United States and Israel to administer the Fulbright Program in Israel. USIEF is funded by the United States and Israeli Governments and is governed by a binational Board of Directors. The Foundation aims to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Israel by means of student and faculty exchanges at the highest possible level of academic excellence. USIEF offers a variety of fellowships and opportunities for research, teaching and a combination of both in Israel. Israel is home to some of the world’s best academic institutions with high-ranking universities and research institutes leading in fields such as History & Archaeology, Cyber & Computer Science, Theology & Religious Studies, Policy, Diplomacy & Security Studies and many more. Israel is a unique destination for research and professional development and serves as a hub for academic excellence, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Alex (Eli) Pottash, Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow 2023-2024, at Weizmann Institute of Science shared, "I spent 20 months at the Weizmann Institute of Science as a member of two talented groups. The facilities and infrastructure at the Institute were highly conducive to pursuing my research aims. The experience was not only beneficial for my professional development, but also thankfully led to satisfying work. Outside of the lab, I loved spending time in a young, resilient country, only a bus ride away from both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Fulbright Israel was a great resource while living here, and I will miss the staff and the community of visiting scholars they manage to continually build!"
Roie Levin, Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow 2022-2023, at Tel Aviv University: "The Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship was an extraordinary experience. I had the chance to work with world experts in my field and to do so while living in Tel Aviv, one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. I was extremely well-positioned to apply for academic positions after my program. The Fulbright staff was outstanding in every regard: they organized interdisciplinary workshops, planned cultural trips, and generally helped visiting scholars with the transition to living in Israel. I would be remiss not to mention how especially supportive they were in the chaotic aftermath of the October 7th attack."
Erika Tritle, Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow 2018-2020, at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev indicated that "a postdoc in Israel combines access to world-class scholars and academic resources with the amazing experience of living in one of the most fascinating and historically rich regions of the world. My family and I have been grateful to meet so many people who are willing to invite us into their lives here. The Fulbright staff have helped at every stage with logistics, questions, connections, and providing opportunities to encounter Israel beyond the tourist’s surface."
Paul Sharp, Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow 2021-2023 at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, commented that, “My experience as a postdoc in Israel has exceeded my expectations. Working with unparalleled leaders in my field at Hebrew University, along with a welcoming and ambitious community of students, has created the conditions for my scientific creativity to reach new heights. I truly feel this is an inimitable training opportunity that positions me to attain a tenure-track position at a top department in the near future. Additionally, the Fulbright staff have been beyond supportive, making my transition to living in Israel a truly enjoyable experience."
Helpful links:
Chet Bush, a Fulbright alumnus to Israel, writes about his Fulbright experience in Israel and how it led me to reflect on life from several perspectives. Take a look at Dr. Chet Bush's journal featuring his Fulbright Israel Experience here.
Kathleen Abadie, a Fulbright alumnus to Israel, shares her time in Israel, where she learned to better see and welcome the complexity of people’s characters. Read her story.
