The President's Award for Commemorating the Presidents of Israel was awarded to the Weizmann Institute of Science

The award was given for his work to perpetuate the legacy of the country's first president, Dr. Haim Weizman, through a program to repatriate outstanding young scientists who are abroad

The President's Award for Commemorating Israel's Presidents was awarded to the Weizmann Institute of Science, for its work to commemorate the legacy of the country's first president, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, through a program to repatriate to Israel outstanding young scientists staying abroad.

Dr. Maya Shuldiner, one of the 34 scientists who have been admitted to the Weizmann Institute of Science in the past three years, says: "Six months ago, my husband Oren (who was also admitted as a scientist at the Weizmann Institute of Science) and I returned from a post-doctorate in San Francisco. We had so much fun there - a beautiful city with one of the best universities in the world, but there wasn't a day when I didn't miss Israel. All the Israelis around me missed home too. Unfortunately for them, many of them will not return home, because for them returning means a compromise - on work, on the standard of living, on education. The Weizmann Institute allows us to do world-class science without losing our identity, without losing the ability to raise our children as Israelis, and without living a life of homesickness for our country. I wish that more young Israeli scientists, as many as possible, would also, like us, be privileged to return home ".

The Weizmann Institute of Science, which bears the name of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, decided to invest a lot of resources and efforts to offer young scientists the opportunity to integrate into research in Israel, and thus try to overcome the phenomenon known as the "brain drain": young Israeli scientists who travel abroad for the purpose of Post-doctoral studies receive tempting job offers, and many of them decide to stay abroad. Following the decision, the institute spent about 30 million dollars to finance the bringing to Israel and the reception of 34 outstanding Israeli scientists, returning Israelis. The return flight to Israel, for all members of the scientist's family, was financed by the institute. The scientists were offered an absorption package that includes a laboratory, equipment as well as salary funding for a number of laboratory workers and students. Most of them were also offered accommodation at the institute - an especially important component for those who spend many hours in the laboratory. For the sake of the young scientists - most of whom are parents of children of preschool age - a kindergarten was established on the premises of the institute, managed by a steering team consisting mostly of scientist-mothers. Meals are provided in the garden, and it is possible to stay there until the late afternoon.