28 researchers who immigrated to Israel or returned to it were selected for the first cycle of the programs, which provide funding for research, equipment, and personal absorption for five to seven years. President Yitzhak Herzog: "To give you the opportunity to make a scientific breakthrough in Israel, in the country, not abroad"
The "Or" and "Bereshit" national programs were launched at the President's Office in Jerusalem, designed to recruit outstanding scientists from abroad to Israeli research universities. As part of the first cohort, 28 researchers were selected: 22 researchers at the beginning of their independent careers in the "Bereshit" program, and six senior scientists in the "Or" program.
The planned investment in the programs in the coming years is approximately 700 million shekels. The grants include research budgets, assistance in purchasing equipment, and personal absorption grants, with the aim of enabling researchers to relocate to Israel not only their place of residence but also their scientific activities, establish laboratories, and recruit research students.
The programs are operated by the National Science Foundation in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education, and the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption. The Maimonides Foundation's Center for Future Scientists is also a partner in the "Bereshit" program.
According to the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, "Beresheet" is intended for new researchers returning to Israel or immigrating to the country after postdoctoral training abroad, and provides them with large-scale research grants and one-time funding for laboratory equipment. "Or" is aimed at senior researchers with tenure and international standing, who have demonstrated scientific leadership and exceptional achievements in the past decade. The programs began operating in the previous cycle, and the event at the President's House marked their public launch and the presentation of the first winners.
Five- and seven-year grants
The "Bereshit" program provides support for five years, while the funding in the "Or" program lasts for seven years. Under "Or," each of the six senior researchers can receive a research grant of up to 1.25 million shekels per year.
Kelly Avidan, director of resource development at the National Science Foundation, explained at the opening of the event that both programs are open to all fields of knowledge. According to her, the 22 "Bereshit" winners have returned from postdoctoral studies at leading universities around the world, while the six "Or" winners are senior researchers with a decisive influence in their fields, who have transferred their scientific activities to Israel.
"The uniqueness of both programs lies in the scope of the extraordinary grants for research and equipment, and a personal absorption grant for periods of time between five and seven years," she said. The goal of the support, she added, is to enable researchers "to establish advanced laboratories and establish their research journey."
Herzog: "The fact that you are here gives us a lot of strength"
President Yitzhak Herzog presented the return of researchers as a strategic decision and not just as an aid program for academia.
"I believe very much in science, and I believe very much in Israeli science," said Herzog. According to him, the joint national decision for government ministries, foundations and universities is intended first and foremost "to give you the opportunity to make a scientific breakthrough in Israel, in Israel, not abroad."
Herzog addressed the difficulties involved in emigrating and rebuilding a life: "We know, I know, that it is not easy at all to return to Israel or to immigrate to Israel. It is a challenge for the family, it is a challenge for the individual, it is a challenge in the workplace, it is a challenge in line at the bank and it is a challenge in line at the supermarket – not to mention our geostrategic environment."
According to him, the scientists' very decision to come to Israel is a source of encouragement during a difficult time: "The fact that you are here gives us a lot, a lot of strength."
Herzog emphasized that Israel's future ability to compete in the world depends on its academia. "Israel, as a strategic concept, will be able to continue to develop and succeed thanks to its academic and scientific excellence," he said. "It must do so, and it must put its academia and its science at the forefront of its joy."
He linked scientific excellence to the country's security, noting that science assists Israel both practically and in its strategic conduct.
Herzog later said that he had returned the previous night from a state visit to Romania. "Dozens of university heads and presidents in Romania came simply to meet me," he said. He said the meeting illustrated that despite the expansion of the academic boycott, "not everywhere just wants to boycott us."
Herzog called on partners in the programs not to be satisfied with the initial absorption phase. "We also need to take care of the continuation - after the research, what happens next, how we integrate, how we accept standards and how we develop," he said. He concluded his remarks by congratulating the scientists: "Bring us achievements for humanity, the region and the State of Israel."
Prof. Zeifman: Scientific research is a vital asset for the state
Prof. Daniel Zeifman, chairman of the National Science Foundation's academic board and former president of the Weizmann Institute of Science, said the programs carry a message that goes beyond financial support.
"Scientific research and the scientists who lead it are a vital asset to the State of Israel," he said. According to him, not only Israel's economy but also its security rely to a large extent on human capital and the state's ability to cultivate it.
Zeifman emphasized that the grantees will participate in two missions: training the next generation and developing the discoveries that will create Israel's future. He praised the collaboration between government and academic bodies, saying that it illustrates that "great things really happen when people and institutions know how to work together."
Prof. Ami Moyal, chairman of the Scientific Research Council, said that Israel should encourage doctoral graduates to undertake further training in leading laboratories abroad, to be exposed to new ideas and methods, and to build an international network of contacts. However, the aim is that upon completion of the training, returning to Israel will be "the first and natural choice, almost self-evident."
Moyal defined human capital as Israel's main resource. According to him, senior academic staff have two central roles: to promote scientific research at the international level and to train the next generation. In this way, he said, the higher education system becomes an "engine of national, economic and social growth." Prof. Moyal has served as Chairman and CEO since August 2025.
Eran Rabbani: "I always missed Israeli scientists"
The recipients of the "Or" grants briefly presented their research and the reasons for their decision to move to Israel.
Prof. Eran Rabani, Professor of Theoretical Chemistry and Applied Physics at the Hebrew University, develops theoretical and computational models for studying systems and structures at the nanoscale.
"All the years I was a scientist in the United States, I always missed Israeli scientists," said Rabani. He praised the local research culture and the quality of students in Israel: "Our students are still the best in the world."
Prof. Alexander Sodin, a mathematician at the Einstein Institute for Mathematics at the Hebrew University, researches mathematical physics, analysis, and probability.
Sudin explained one of the central tools in his research using an optical image: "Just as a ray of sunlight splits into different colors in a cloud, so the spectral theorem splits each operator into slices that can be studied separately. It is a very effective tool."
Prof. Alex Siegel, a virologist at the Hebrew University, studies the spread of viruses, the immune system response, and the possibility of using mechanisms derived from viruses to treat patients. The Hebrew University presents him as a faculty member in the field of microbiology and infectious diseases.
"The opportunity thatLight program "It allowed me to think long-term," said Siegel. According to him, the program also makes it easier for him to adapt personally to Israel and allows him to invest in establishing new research capabilities: "I'm less pressured to present something that didn't exist before in the lab and the university. I can really invest."
Noam Shemesh: The request to return was submitted five days after October 7
Prof. Noam Shemesh He returned to Israel after about 12 years at the Shampalimo Center for Research on the Unknown in Lisbon and joined the Department of Chemical and Biological Physics at the Weizmann Institute of Science. He develops fast, high-resolution MRI methods, designed to reveal structures and processes in tissues and the brain that are not visible with conventional imaging methods.
Shemesh said that even before October 7, 2023, his family had considered returning to Israel, but repeatedly postponed the decision. The turning point came two days after the attack.
He said that on October 9, an e-mail was circulated at the institute where he worked calling for donations to children in Gaza, without mentioning the children who were affected in Israel. Shemesh replied that he was willing to donate to children on both sides, but said that he received harsh reactions from some of his colleagues as a result.
“On October 12, 2023, I submitted the application to the Weizmann Institute and the Technion,” he said. “Portugal is a very friendly country in general, but in this specific place it was an ambivalent and strange experience.” He added that his family was happy to return to Israel and hoped to contribute their share.
Jeremiah Foundation: Returning without giving up scientific identity
Dr Jeremiah Foundation, a Beresheet grantee, joined the Psychology Department at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev after completing postdoctoral training at University College London. She studies the ability of humans to understand themselves and others through emotions, thoughts, intentions, and beliefs, and the contribution of this ability to mental health. Her research also deals with the intergenerational effects of trauma and combines longitudinal studies, controlled experiments, and artificial intelligence-based tools. Jeremiah serves as a senior lecturer in the Psychology Department.
Jeremiah said that her three years in London were educational and enriching, but also very difficult. The Israeli community, she said, was an integral part of her coping during this period.
"The choice to return to Israel is not easy," she said. According to her, the "Bereshit" program allowed researchers to return "with our two identities, with both hats – both Israeli and being a groundbreaking scientist."
Jeremiah added that the grant allows her to remain part of the international scientific community and conduct research that is no less than that conducted at the world's leading universities. She said the support allays her fears that returning to Israel would require her to compromise on research excellence.
The test will be in the long-term stay.
Returning scientists does not end with a grant or the establishment of a laboratory. A researcher moving from an institution based abroad to Israel is required to re-establish a team, purchase equipment, recruit research students, and build collaborations, while also dealing with family transitions, housing, education, and employment for a spouse.
The challenge is particularly great at a time when Israeli academia is facing overt and covert boycotts, damage to international collaborations, and competition from resource-rich universities. The State of Science in Israel 2025 report indicated high research excellence, but also erosion of investment, difficulties in internationalization, and damage to ties with institutions around the world.
Therefore, the success of "Or" and "Bereshit" will not be measured only by the number of scientists who return to Israel. It will be measured by their ability to stay here over the long term, develop stable research groups, attract additional students and researchers, and continue to be an active part of international science.
Questions and Answers
What are the "Or" and "Bereshit" programs?
These are national programs for the absorption of outstanding scientists from abroad at research universities in Israel, through research grants, equipment budgets, and personal absorption grants.
What is the difference between the two programs?
"Bereshit" is intended primarily for young researchers returning to Israel or immigrating to it after postdoctoral training. "Or" is intended for senior scientists with international achievements and status.
How many researchers were selected?
In the first cycle, 28 researchers were selected: 22 in the "Bereshit" program and six in the "Or" program.
How long does the support last?
Support for the "Bereshit" program lasts five years, and for the "Or" program, seven years.
How much money will the state invest?
According to the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, the planned investment in the two programs in the coming years is approximately 700 million shekels.
Why is special support needed for returning scientists?
Establishing a laboratory and research group requires expensive equipment, recruiting students and employees, building collaborations, and establishing professional and personal foundations. Without a long-term framework, researchers may prefer proposals from established institutions abroad.
More on the subject on the science website
- Six leading research institutes in Germany issued a statement fearing for the freedom and autonomy of science and research in Israel
- Humanities in Israel in retreat since 2004
- State of Science in Israel 2025 Report: International Excellence Alongside Investment Erosion, Harm to Internationalization, and the Effects of the Regime Coup
- Japan and Israel will increase scientific cooperation
- The Technion was ranked in the top ten of the "Nobel Universities" in the sciences
