Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowships at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Fulbright Israel is looking for the brightest and most innovative scholars who aspire to research in Israel and join the Fulbright heritage
Program Overview
Fulbright Israel administers the Fulbright Academic Program in Israel and plans to award up to three fellowships to U.S. postdoctoral scholars who seek to pursue research at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. 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 and contacts. 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 [email protected] with any questions and/or assistance with identifying suitable host or contacts.
AWARD LENGTH
Up to two academic years, minimum of one academic year.
AWARD DATES
Grants may begin any time during the period of July 2025 to May 2026, as agreed upon with host institution.
LOCATIONS
Research will take place at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Be'er Sheva, Israel. Ben-Gurion University has around 20,000 students and 4,000 faculty members in the Faculties of Engineering Sciences; Health Sciences; Natural Sciences; the Pinchas Sapir Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management; the Joyce and Irving Goldman School of Medicine; the Kreitman School of Advanced Graduate Studies; and the Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies. More than 100,000 alumni play important roles in all areas of research and development, industry, health care, the economy, society, culture and education in Israel.
DISCIPLINE TYPE
Applications are sought in all disciplines.
SPECIAL FEATURES
During their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in Israel may apply for a short-term regional travel grant (five to 14 days) for participation in a variety of activities including faculty and student lectures, graduate or faculty seminars, curriculum development, public lectures, panel presentations, needs assessment, conferences or some combination thereof.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Monday, September 16, 2024
ACTIVITY
Research
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) required
Grant Benefits
Stipend
- $95,000 ($47,500 per academic year for two years).
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance
- Reimbursement of airfare expenses (U.S. – Israel, under the Fly America act) for Fulbright fellows (and spouses)
- Partial reimbursement of children’s education expenses and fees
- Additional relocation funding of up to $13,000 granted by Ben-Gurion University
Special Awards and 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.
Eligibility criteria
- U.S. citizenship (permanent residence is not sufficient)
- Sound physical and mental health: selected candidates are required to submit a Medical History and Examination Report before their grants can be finalized
- Must have received their Ph.D. degrees no earlier than July 2020
- Applicants must receive their Ph.D. before they leave to Israel
- Recent college graduates with limited professional experience. Instead, visit the Fulbright Student Program
- Graduate or doctoral students seeking funding to complete their degrees. Instead, visit the Fulbright Student Program
- Candidates who have resided abroad for five or more consecutive years in the six-year period preceding the date of application. A period of nine months or more during a calendar year is considered a full year abroad
- Employees and their immediate families (i.e. spouses and dependent children) of the U.S. Department of State and of public or private organizations under contract to the U.S. Department of State. In such cases, a one year wait period from termination is required
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.
The host institution must provide grantees with Postdoctoral status including access to campus resources (proof of such letter is not required at the time of application).
Each candidate is responsible for arranging their institutional affiliations in Israel independently, including the development of the program of work for the proposed visit through contacts with possible host institutions.
Grants shall not authorize engagement in pastoral, missionary, or other professional religious activities.
Grants shall not authorize engagement in activities for which a license to practice medicine or nursing is required.
Applicants are required to disclose any prior convictions of a felony or a misdemeanor, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), but excluding minor traffic violations. FFSB regulations can be found here (Chapter 600/Section 626 Ineligibility Factors).
Ben-Gurion 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 Ben-Gurion University independently, including development of the program of work for the proposed visit through contacts at Ben-Gurion University.
Note: Recipients of a Fulbright Scholar grant are eligible to apply for another Fulbright Scholar grant two years after the date of completion of the previous grant. (For serial or Flex grants, the two-year period begins at the end of the final grant in the series.)
Evaluation criteria
For full details on the Fulbright Post-Doctoral Scholar Program review process, visit CIES. During its review of the recommended pool of applications, Fulbright Israel applies the following criteria:
- Academic excellence is the primary criterion for the evaluation of candidates.
- In addition to describing the research planned, a post-doctoral project proposal should also provide a concise description of the broader cultural goals of a post-doctoral experience in Israel: what the candidate would like to learn about Israel, what activities, in addition to research, do they expect to become involved in, and how the candidate expects to share their Israeli experiences upon return to the US.
- Leadership qualities are an important evaluation criterion.
- Preference will be given to candidates who have not had substantial, recent professional experience in Israel.
Applicants might be invited for a Zoom interview with a Fulbright commission.
The Foundation reserves the exclusive right to determine, within the framework of applicable law and regulations, the qualitative standards for the evaluation of applications forwarded to it by the responsible agency in the United States. The Foundation is not under any obligation to provide the reasons for its decisions regarding the allocation of Fellowships.
Please note: Candidates who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States will be given preference, provided their qualifications are approximately equivalent to those of other candidates.
FAQ
Will I be at a disadvantage if I have studied previously in Israel?
Yes. While applicants who have had a previous Israel experience may receive awards, preference will be given to applicants without such experience.
May my spouse apply for a Fulbright grant at the same time that I apply?
Yes
