Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowships at Bar-Ilan University
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 is looking for the brightest and most innovative scholars who aspire to research in Israel and join the Fulbright heritage.
Fulbright Israel administers the Fulbright Academic Program in Israel and plans to award fellowships to U.S. postdoctoral scholars seeking research at Bar-Ilan University. Grants are open to researchers in all academic disciplines and support research programs in Israel for up to 20 months (two academic years).
Each candidate should be responsible for the arrangement of his/her institutional affiliations in Israel independently, including development of the research program for the proposed visit through contacts with possible host. According to Fulbright Israel policy, Fulbright postdoctoral fellows must hold official postdoctoral fellow status at their host institutions in Israel, including access to campus resources. Proof of such a letter is not required at the time of application.
Please contact the Fulbright Israel office at USPrograms@fulbright.org.il with any questions and/or assistance with identifying suitable host or contacts.
Research activity will take place at Bar-Ilan University. Bar-Ilan University is one of the largest universities in Israel. The university campus is located in the Central Israel, close to Tel Aviv, and is visited daily by thousands of students from all over the country and from all religions and ethnicities, faculty members, and visitors from both Israel and abroad.
One to two academic years (10-20 months). Grants may begin any time from July 2025 to May 2026, as agreed upon with the host institution.
Grants are open to researchers in all academic disciplines and support research programs in Israel for up to 20 months (two academic years).
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Each candidate should be responsible for the arrangement of his/her institutional affiliations in Israel independently, including development of the research program for the proposed visit through contacts with possible host. According to Fulbright Israel policy, Fulbright postdoctoral fellows must hold official postdoctoral fellow status at their host institutions in Israel, including access to campus resources. Proof of such a letter is not required at the time of application.
Please contact the Fulbright Israel office at USPrograms@fulbright.org.il with any questions and/or assistance with identifying suitable host or contacts.
Eligibility requirements apply at the time of application. For full details on all Fulbright U.S. Scholar program eligibility requirements, visit fulbrightscholars.org. In addition:
- To be eligible for a Fulbright fellowship beginning in July 2025, candidates must have received their Ph.D. degrees no earlier than July 2020. Degree conferment before the start of the award is mandatory. Institutional affiliation in the U.S. is not required.
- Bar-Ilan University must provide grantees with Postdoctoral status, including access to campus resources (such a letter is not required at the time of application).
- Each candidate is responsible for arranging their institutional affiliations at the Bar-Ilan University independently, including development of the program of work for the proposed visit through contacts at the Bar-Ilan University.
Additional Information
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.
HELPFUL LINKS
STIPEND
$95,000 ($47,500 per academic year for two years).
ESTIMATED TRAVEL AND RELOCATION ALLOWANCE
- Reimbursement of Travel expenses of up to $1,700 (U.S. – Israel) for Fulbright fellows (and spouses)
- Partial reimbursement of children’s education expenses and fees
- Additional relocation funding of up to $9,000 relocation reimbursement granted by Bar-Ilan University.
SPECIAL AWARD BENEFITS
- Limited accident and medical coverage for the grantee only.
- Mandatory attendance at Fulbright Israel-sponsored arrival orientation.
- Opportunities to participate in multiple cultural and academic events organized by Fulbright Israel.
Reimbursement of Travel expenses of up to $1,700 (U.S. – Israel) for Fulbright fellows (and spouses)
Reimbursement of Travel expenses of up to $1,700 (U.S. – Israel, under the Fly America act) for Fulbright fellows (and spouses)
Partial reimbursement of children’s education expenses and fees
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.
- 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.
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.
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."
Thomas Prendergast, Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow 2020-2022 at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem shared, "Israel offers world-class research support. Living in Jerusalem, I benefit from easy access to the National Library of Israel and Hebrew University Library system, and therefore have nearly every book and article I could possibly need right at my fingertips. As a scholar in the humanities working toward converting my dissertation into a book manuscript, I very much appreciate such easy access to library resources. There are also myriad opportunities to establish academic and personal connections with faculty at local universities and other visiting postdoctoral fellows. With the help of the Fulbright team and the International Office at my host university, I was able to successfully navigate the entry restrictions brought about by the Covid crisis and enjoy my time in the country with relatively few challenges."
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.