Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award

Distinguished Scholar Fellowship

Israel

Application Deadline
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Award Code
271467-IL
Activity Type
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
Teaching
Teaching includes classroom teaching, as well as giving guest lectures, workshops, and seminars, and engaging in other related activities. Classroom teaching is typically at the undergraduate and graduate level, and courses may be designed by the scholar or prescribed by the host institution and may be taught or co-taught by the scholar. The teaching load varies by award, as well as the host institution. Scholars may also consult on building research capacity, advise graduate students, and assist with thesis advising.
Teaching/Research
A combination of teaching and research as described above. Refer to the award description for any specifications on percentages of time that should be devoted to teaching vs research.
Degree Requirements
Required
Career Profile
Artists
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in an artistic profession.
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.

Number of recipients

Up To
8
Award Start Period
July 2027 - May 2028
Award Length
4 months
Flex Option
No
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Projects are sought in all disciplines
Scholars selected for this award can choose to
Advise and/or mentor students
Assist in faculty, curriculum, and/or program development
Conduct a research project designated by the host institution
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses designated by the host institution
Teach graduate and/or undergraduate courses of the applicant’s choosing

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 may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Award Activity

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 2027-28 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.

Locations
Location Selection: Award must be undertaken at one of the following institutions
Locations Detail

Any accredited institution of higher education. Visit Study in Israel for a complete list of such institutions.

Award Length and Period

Four months

Grants can begin between the period July 2027 - May 2028, as agreed upon with the host institution.

Flex
Flex allowed for only the following activity type(s):
Areas of Interest

Applications are sought in all disciplines.

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Not applicable – all U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, regardless of dual citizenship or residency.
Invitation Requirement
An invitation letter is required.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information

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.

Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Qualification Information

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.

Contacts and Helpful Links
Award Allowances
  • $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
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Reimbursement of Travel expenses of up to $1,700 (U.S. – Israel, under the Fly America Act) for Fulbright fellows (and spouses).

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes

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.

 

Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.

Special Award Benefits
  • 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  

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.