Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship at Weizmann Institute for Science
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 may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Fulbright Israel welcomes applications from innovative U.S. postdoctoral scholars who seek to conduct research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Grants are open to researchers in all academic disciplines and support research programs in Israel for up to 20 months.
Each candidate is responsible for the arrangement of the institutional affiliations independently, including development of the research program for the proposed visit. Based on Fulbright Israel policy, selected Fulbright postdoctoral fellows must hold official postdoctoral fellow status at their host institutions in Israel, including access to campus resources.
Please contact the Fulbright Israel office at USPrograms@fulbright.org.il with any questions or assistance with identifying suitable hosts or contacts.
Research activity will take place at the Weizmann Institute of Science. The Weizmann Institute is located in Rehovot, Israel, just south of Tel Aviv. The Weizmann Institute was founded by Dr. Chaim Weizmann (1874-1952) in 1934. The Weizmann Institute of Science was the first to introduce cancer research in Israel and the first to build particle accelerators.
One Nobel laureate and three Turing Award laureates have been associated with the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Up to two academic years, minimum of one academic year.
Grants may begin any time between July 2026 - May 2027, as agreed upon with the host institution.
The Weizmann Institute of Science is a science institution. Grantees may apply for any discipline offered at the institution.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
A letter of invitation from the Weizmann Institute of Science is required. Please contact the Fulbright program in Israel at USPrograms@fulbright.org.il for assistance with identifying suitable host contacts.
To be eligible for a Fulbright fellowship beginning in July 2026, candidates must have received their Ph.D. degrees no earlier than July 2021. Degree conferment before the start of the award is mandatory. Institutional affiliation in the U.S. is not required.
$95,000 ($47,500 per academic year for two years).
- Reimbursement of Travel expenses of up to $1,700 (U.S. – Israel, under the Fly America Act) for Fulbright fellows (and spouses)
- Weizmann Institute will provide additional relocation expenses of up to $3,000 reimbursement per single Post-doctoral Fellow per year (total of $6,000 per two years) upon submission of receipts (for relocation expenses such as travel and medical insurance).
- 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.
- Weizmann Institute will provide additional relocation expenses reimbursement of up to additional $3,000 per year for grantees accompanied by dependents (total of $6,000 per two years) upon submission of receipts (for relocation expenses such as travel, medical insurance).
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.
- Professional travel budget (for scientific conferences during the postdoctoral term) of up to $3,000 per year granted by the Weizmann Institute of Science.
- Limited accident and medical coverage for the grantee only.
- Fulbright Israel-sponsored arrival orientation.
- Opportunities to participate in a variety of 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.
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.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Applicants might be invited for a Zoom interview with a Fulbright commission.