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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 their host universities and the Zuckerman Institute 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. Recipients may not accept other scholarships concurrently with the Zuckerman STEM scholarship.
Participating universities are Ariel University, Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, University of Haifa, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, and Weizmann Institute of Science. Candidates may apply to more than one university.
To be eligible for the Faculty Program, scholars must have either:
Or
The candidate must hold Israeli citizenship or be eligible to receive Israeli citizenship within 12
months of beginning his/her position at the hosting Israeli university.
To be eligible for the Faculty Program, candidates must complete their STEM postdoctoral studies in the US or Canada.To be eligible for the Faculty Program, scholars must have either:
In 2024-2025, the Zuckerman STEM Program with the Council for higher Education allots up to $500,000 per Zuckerman Faculty Scholar, as long as this amount is matched at the same time by the host university.
This support will be used to partially cover expenses such as the purchase of special equipment, construction, or renovation of labs, and providing fellowships to graduate or postdoctoral students who will be supervised by the Faculty Scholar.
Research funds: Each Zuckerman Faculty Scholar will be entitled to a fixed annual amount of research funding for a total of four years, directly controlled by the scholarship recipient:
For a $500,000 scholarship, each Faculty Scholar will be allocated $7,500 per year to use for
academic research needs.
For a $350,000 scholarship, each Faculty Scholar will be allocated $5,000 per year to use for
academic research needs.
Faculty Scholars will be expected to account in the usual academic manner for the funds they use, as per the requirements of each hosting university.
Research funds can be used by the scholar throughout a maximum of seven years from the day of returning to Israel ad accepting the position at the Israeli University.
Faculty Scholars will be identified as “Zuckerman Faculty Scholars”. Faculty Scholars must identify themselves as members of the Zuckerman Faculty Scholars Program as follows:
The ZII LLC advocates and encourages a public access policy including open scientific communication. The ZII LLC expects significant findings from research it awards to be promptly presented for publication, with authorship that accurately reflects the involvement of those included.
Faculty Scholars are responsible for assuring that an acknowledgment of the ZII LLC support is made: In any publication (including web pages, and social media) of any material based on or advanced under the Program, in the following terms:
“This material is based upon work supported by the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program.”
The ZII LLC’s support must also be acknowledged orally in all news media interviews, and in all general media such as television, radio, news magazines, and online forums.
The Scholar is accountable for guaranteeing that each publication (including web pages) based on or developed under this Program, excluding scientific articles or papers appearing in scientific, technical, or professional journals, contains the following disclaimer:
“Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program.”
Each University will apply its standard recognition procedures to provide appropriate physical recognition of the Program in its main campus, in consultation with the ZII LLC.
The Universities shall maintain a fair and balanced recognition policy of Program awards
also given prospective dual or increased funding and donations.
Where appropriate, for purposes of branding, clarity and differentiation, the Scholar shall name himself or herself as “Zuckerman Faculty Scholar” in all academic and scientific papers, articles, publications, etc.
Scholars shall post on his or her official laboratory website the following statement and a logo to be approved in writing by the ZII LLC:
“Funded in partnership with the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program”
A significant financial interest could create a conflict of interest for a Scholar if it directly and significantly affects the design, conduct, or reporting of the Program or ZII LLC- funded research activity. A Scholar may thus have a conflict of interest when he or she has the potential to receive significant personal benefit, in addition to his or her customary and normal funding, because of their participation in the Program.
To circumvent a conflict of interest each Scholar shall disclose at the beginning of his or her scholarship period to his or her host University all significant conflicting financial interests: (i) that could reasonably relate to or be affected by the research proposed during the scholarship; or (ii) in entities whose financial interests could reasonably relate to or be affected by such activities.
Changes in Research Activity Direction or Management: The scope or objectives of the
research activity shall not be altered without the ZII LLC’s prior written approval.
Significant changes in methods or procedures should also be reported immediately to the
ZII LLC. Equally, Scholars should promptly report to the University, who will promptly
report to the ZII LLC, any problems, delays or adverse conditions that will materially
impact the ability to attain the objectives of the research activity or to meet such time
schedules as may have been proposed.
Changes in Recipient or Person-Months Devoted to the Research Activity: If the Scholar determines that there is a need for the addition of a new co-Principle Investigator (PI), or the current PI or co-PI plans to, or becomes aware that he or she will: (i) dedicate considerably less labor to the research activity than anticipated in the approved proposal; (ii) undo his or her connection with the host University; (iii) otherwise relinquish active
direction of the research activity; (iv) be disengaged from the research activity for a period greater than three months (e.g. sabbatical leave) but intends to return; or (v) plan to receive or receive dual funding for their Program research activity, he or she shall directly and promptly advise the ZII LLC, notwithstanding his or her obligation to adequately advise the host University officials.
Sub-awarding or Transferring Part of a Program Award (Sub-award): No part of a Program award may be sub-awarded or transferred to another organization or scholar without prior authorization of the ZII LLC (This excludes the acquisition of articles such as commercially available supplies, equipment, or general support services allowable under the award). The intent to enter such arrangements shall be fully disclosed in the award proposal.
Academic and Social Activities: Zuckerman Faculty Scholars are required to participate in
sponsored events and activities during the academic year. These events include, but are not
limited to:
A Zuckerman Israel Institute scientific seminar with media coverage that will be open to the public, where selected Faculty Scholars from the participating universities in the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program will present their research.
Faculty Scholars will be invited to social activities and sightseeing trips. They will be exposed to Israeli culture, meet with various sectors and ethnic groups, and visit science parks and hightech incubators in Israel.
Two postdoctoral scholarships will be awarded at each of the participating universities listed below for the 2024/25 academic year.
Applications will be accepted through December 15, 2023. Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the Selection Committee over the course of the month of January 2025. Finalists will be announced in February 2024
Applications will be accepted through February 01, 2023. Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the selection committee over the course of the month of February 2024. Finalists will be announced in March 2024
Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2023. Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the selection committee over the course of the month of April 2024. Finalists will be announced in May 2024
Applications to the Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholarship Program must be sent by the hosting supervisor(s) via email in a single pdf file to one or more of the following participating Israeli universities:
Sigalit Rajuan Administrative Head Graduate Studies Authority and Bloom School for Graduate Studies
Shlomit Appel Academic Secretariat Foundations and Scholarships Department
We continue to lead the way in advancing women in STEM at Israel’s academic institutions. and proudly continue to expand the community with significant partnerships and opportunities.
49% of Zuckerman scholars now enrolled in the program are women. Each female scholar is making an impact in her field, creating a larger group of peers, and easing the way for other women to be accepted.
Pictured: Associate Professor Gili Bisker, Tel Aviv University
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