Government approves seven-year program to attract leading Jewish scientists to Israel

The government has approved a program to attract leading Jewish and former Israeli researchers to Israel against the backdrop of rising antisemitism on university campuses worldwide.

The project is a joint program of the Finance Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Absorption Ministry and the Innovation, Science and Technology Ministry.

The new seven-year program's budget is some NIS 700 million, including NIS 34 million for this year alone.

Top-tier scientists at the peak of their careers will be offered relocation and research grants of NIS 1.5 million in the first year, totaling NIS 10.5 million over seven years. The plan aims to attract eight scientists annually, totaling 56 over the program's duration.

Promising postdoctoral researchers will receive a one-time equipment grant of NIS 1.3 million and an annual stipend of NIS 800,000 for seven years. This initiative aims to attract 15 researchers annually, totaling 105 over the program's duration.

In addition, the budget for international scientific cooperation will be increased from NIS 20 million to NIS 40 million annually, with an extra NIS 10 million allocated for hosting international conferences in Israel.