Israeli Council for Higher Education Partnership
Partnering for STEM Excellence
The State of Israel’s Council for Higher Education (CHE) determines higher education policy for all Israeli universities and supports Mortimer B. Zuckerman Foundation initiatives to promote and encourage globalization and collaboration, including joint programs such as the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program.
The CHE and the PBC work to develop research and instruction, promote quality and excellence, and make higher education accessible to the entire population.
Postdoctoral Program from the US and Canada
In 2018, the Council for Higher Education recognized the Zuckerman Postdoctoral Program as an essential initiative to strengthen Israeli institutions by advancing collaboration with US and Canadian institutions. The CHE joined in funding scholarships to US and Canadian postdoc scholars who wish to do STEM research in Israeli institutions.
Each postdoctoral researcher receives a total of $126,000 over a two-year period.
“Our goal is to provide infrastructure for research and encourage scientific-academic excellence in order to make Israel a knowledge powerhouse,” said Prof. Yossi Mekori, Chair of the CHE’s Planning and Budgeting Committee, responsible for the funding initiative. “The Committee is striving to transform the State of Israel into a magnet for outstanding scholars from various countries in the world. Partnership with the Zuckerman Israel Institute and the increased scholarships for outstanding postdoctoral researchers from the United States and Canada will allow Israeli institutions to enrich research in the STEM professions, empower Israeli researchers, and promote the international reputation of Israel’s higher education system.”
Faculty Program
Thanks to the Council for Higher Education’s support and matching funds, the Faculty Scholars Program – a significant part of the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program – is expanding from four to eight Israeli universities.
The Faculty Scholars Program provides vital resources to Israeli universities, allowing them to compete with top North American institutions for the most promising candidates. Since the program began in 2016, 43 Zuckerman labs have been established at four Israeli universities, supported by more than $40 million in joint funding from the Zuckerman program and the seven participating universities.
Since 2020, the Zuckerman-CHE initiative supported 29 faculty scholars at seven Israeli universities.
“We are proud to be recognized by the Israeli Government as one of the leading, important philanthropic initiatives that encourages and supports the return of talented Israeli scientists to Israel,” said Eric Gertler, Zuckerman Israel Institute Trustee.
Advancing Women in STEM- 2020-2022
In 2020 we joined the Council for Higher Education in promoting and supporting gender equality in institutions of higher education with matching funds for a scholarship program that recognizes outstanding Israeli female scholars accepted to postdoctoral programs in the United States or Canada.
With matching support, the program provided a total of 28 scholarships.
More on the program
