In 2005, the board of directors of the Machiah Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, responded to the fact that young Israeli post-doctoral scientists have been excluded from European institutions of higher learning during the most recent years of the intifada. Labs in countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark etc. have not been providing advanced research opportunities in the life sciences as they have in the past. Further evidencing this discrimination is the April 2005 boycott enacted by Britain’s Association of University Teachers, severing all ties with Haifa and Bar-Ilan Universities.

The Machiah Foundation has initiated a generous two-year fellowship program to enable promising Israeli Ph.D. and M.D.-level scientists to pursue advanced training in the United States in basic research in the life sciences.

The program emphasizes the identification of important scientific questions that will be addressed using novel and innovative approaches, and the elucidation of fundamental biological mechanisms, rather than on clinical research. However, applications considering research that addresses disease-related questions are considered relevant to the aims of this program.  Fellowships will be awarded for a two-year period, with $55,000 USD paid annually, contingent on satisfactory progress. Consideration may be given to a third year of stipend support under exceptional circumstances.

Applicants are restricted to citizen residents of the State of Israel, with no restrictions as to religion, ethnic background, or gender. The number of Fellowship Awards granted may vary from year to year depending on the availability of funds.

Previous recipients

• 2008
• 2007
• 2006

For more information contact:

The Machiah Foundation
Jewish Community Endowment Fund
121 Steuart Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415.512.6273
Fax: 415.495.6635
Email: machiah@sfjcf.org