Israel
4 PhD Research Program
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodFlexible StartGrant Length4 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The United States–Israel Educational Foundation (USIEF), known as Fulbright Israel, plans to award up to 4 grants to PhD students for one semester of research during the 2026/2027 academic year (starting October 2026).
This program is designed to provide research opportunities by utilizing local resources as well as gaining international experience. Grantees plan their own projects, which may include an independent library, archival or field research, consultations with local professors or a combination of such activities. Along with opportunities for research and engagement with local resources this Fulbright Program offers invaluable opportunities to meet and work with the local professionals and experts of the host country, sharing daily life as well as professional and creative experiences.
Grant Length
Grant Period
One semester during the 2026/2027 academic year (starting October 2026).
Orientation
No in-person Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO). However, the Fulbright Commission in Israel will schedule a Virtual Pre-Departure Orientation. Grantees will also receive pre-departure material prior to arrival.
An in-country orientation is also held at the beginning of the academic year.
Candidate Profile
Fulbright Israel offers grants on the basis of innovation, academic excellence, the leadership promise of the applicant and their potential to both advance knowledge and enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and Israel.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Gabriella Vulakh 2024-25 U.S. Master's Degree Fellows to Tel Aviv University
or my Fulbright Fellowship, I am pursuing a Masters in Disaster Management at Tel Aviv University and interning at the Neurosurgery Department at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital), after completing my BA in neuroscience at Brown University.
From day one, I have been immersed in a new healthcare system and world of diverse medical staff and patients. Though the hospital environment is a dynamic mix of Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, and English, we often find other ways to communicate — through animated hand gestures, pointing at medical imaging, or using universal scientific terminology. More importantly, the contagious energy and passion for medicine surrounding me transcends language barriers and cultural differences and has reinforced my calling to the medical profession. While the hospital setting has shaped much of my Fulbright experience, it is the vibrancy of everyday life in Israel that has truly deepened my sense of belonging. The vitality is present everywhere — on the bus with kids returning from school, at the shuk (market) filled with its kaleidoscope of colors, sounds and smells, on jogs along the beach promenade with my running club, and across the Shabbat dinner table filled with family and friends.
I am incredibly grateful to the colleagues and classmates I have worked with, and the friendships I have developed, and I will cherish these relationships long after I return to the U.S. My time here so far has shaped me both personally and professionally, and I wholeheartedly encourage anyone to apply to Fulbright Israel — to experience the richness of this vibrant country, to grow as a person, and to be a part of something truly transformative.
Victoria Hill 2021-22 U.S. Master's Degree Fellows to Tel Aviv University
"As a Fulbrighter, I had the privilege of pursuing a Master's in Disaster Management at Tel Aviv University, a program that not only equipped me with invaluable emergency response skills but allowed me to learn through hands-on experiences. Aside from academics, my day-to-day life was a practice in adaptation: Navigating the grocery aisles, I learned to ask strangers which of the millions of tomato products was actually tomato sauce, a small act that often opened up conversations and connections with a laugh; Public transportation became a lesson in language and patience, as I deciphered routes and stops in Hebrew, often relying on the kindness of fellow passengers; The lively exchanges between shopkeepers in the market under my apartment, initially perceived as disputes, soon revealed themselves as expressions of a culture that's passionately vocal and wonderfully expressive. These everyday adventures, from mastering new social norms to embracing the unexpected in routine tasks, enriched my Fulbright experience far beyond the academics. They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the invaluable skill of approaching life's challenges with curiosity and openness. Throughout my time here, I have been mesmerized by the country's variety as well. One weekend, I was hiking through the stark beauty of the desert, marveling at the south's flowers in full bloom; or navigating the vibrant streets of Tel Aviv, indulging in a culinary scene that rivals any around the world. The next weekend might find me road-tripping to the northern mountains to pick apples and enjoy the hospitality of friends in their family's hillside home. Taking in the contrast of landscapes and variety of peoples showed me Israel's makeup, giving me a nuanced perspective on the region's history and its people. It challenged me to look beyond headlines, to understand the layers of historical, cultural, and political complexity that define this land. Fulbright has been transformative, providing me with not only academic credentials but also a deeper, more empathetic understanding of the world. It allowed me to forge lasting friendships with people from around the globe, bonds strengthened by shared experiences, and mutual respect for the rich tapestry of Israeli life. To future Fulbright candidates considering Israel: you're not just signing up for an academic program; you're embarking on a journey that will challenge and change you in ways you can't yet imagine; building your resilience, your skilll sets and your chutzpuh. You'll leave with a degree and a piece of Israel in your heart—a testament to the friendships, experiences, and understanding you've gained. This country, with all its complexity and beauty, has become another place I call home."
Jonathan Alegria, 2021-22U.S. English Teaching Assistant Fellow to Oranim Academic College of Education
"My job as the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Kiryat Tivon broadened my perspective of various ethnic and religious backgrounds and accelerated the educational development of young college students. Using my skills as a university leader in student life, I collaborated with fellow faculty and students in my host college to create social and curriculum programs that implemented English development inside and outside the classroom. By the end of my fellowship, I built the cornerstones for the next generations of ETAs to further expand these programs to impact more students and advanced the standards of educational rigor. But the most valuable impact to me was the friendships I made along the way and the promises of one day returning, all founded on a mutual bond for international understanding and delicious shawarma!"
Eligibility
12 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Candidates must be hosted by an accredited Israeli institution of higher education. For the complete list of such institutions, click here. Candidates are responsible for arranging their own institutional affiliations in Israel. Applicants needing potential contacts should email usprograms@fulbright.org.il.
The letter(s) of invitation are required. It is highly recommended that the letter(s) of invitation be included as part of the Fulbright application by the application deadline. The letter of invitation is a formal hosting commitment, that includes designation of the faculty member who will serve as the candidate’s adviser.
Fulbright Israel will accept invitation letters from candidates during the semi-finalist phase. Please note that candidates are only able to have three invitation letters in total. Therefore, if two invitation letters were uploaded with the application by the application deadline, only one will be accepted during the semi-finalist phase, unless semi-finalists indicate that a previously submitted invitation letter should be removed and replaced by a new one.
Additional letter(s) of invitation must be emailed to fbstudent@iie.org no later than February 28, 2026.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
- $11,800 living stipend
- Up to $1,200 reimbursement of airfare expenses
- Limited health insurance for the grantee only
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The stipend provided by Fulbright Israel reflects the cost of living in the country. Living expenses will vary from fellow to fellow based to life-style and the location you choose to live in.
Here you can find a more detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Israel:
Cost of Living in Israel. Prices in Israel. Updated Feb 2024 (numbeo.com)
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are responsible for housing arrangements.
Security Information
For travel around Israel, please refer to the most recent State Department Travel Advisory for Israel.