The Fund provided financial support for basic research in the humanities and social sciences in areas of importance to the State of Israel, with the goal of expanding knowledge in cutting-edge fields and facilitating the exchange of information and ideas. The seminars were led by eminent scholars from Israel and abroad.

 

Seminars supported by the Fund were not aimed at the needs of a particular disciplinary group within a specific institution. Rather, they provided an opportunity for researchers from various institutions to discuss a particular field of research and draw maximum benefit from their discussions. Accordingly, the Fund required that the organizing committee for each such seminar include professionals from at least two research institutions that deal with the relevant field and that it be open to participants from all such institutions in Israel.

 

In order to create an appropriate ambience for inquiry and to enable ongoing interaction among students, young researchers, Israeli academics and scholars from abroad, it was preferable that the seminar be held outside the participating institutions, for a duration of two to five days. In addition to lectures that were open to the public, the seminar, throughout its duration, included meetings and discussions between the lecturers and small groups of students, who desisted from all other activities for this time. This allowed the guest lecturers to become personally acquainted with the students, evaluate their abilities, build relationships and plan collaborations.

 

Financial support of up to $20,000 was available for seminars of this kind. No deduction of overhead was allowed.

 

The Fund supported the invitation of leading scholars from around the world to visit Israel for several days in order to meet with Israeli academics and students and exchange knowledge, views and ideas in their disciplines. The program was intended for scholars in the fields of the humanities and social sciences.

 

Grants of up to US$ 5,000 were offered for this purpose. No deduction of overheads was allowed. Any faculty member of an academic institution in Israel could submit a fellowship proposal.

 

Grants were offered to young Israeli scholars for a month or two of advanced training in humanities or social science research and methods at libraries, archives, laboratories and other suitable frameworks abroad.

 

Travel for the purpose of finding a postdoctoral position or participating in postdoctoral training was not supported. The grantee could participate in academic activity (conferences, workshops, courses) while abroad, as long as this was not the main purpose of the trip. The awardee had to return to his/her academic institution in Israel immediately upon completion of the training period for which the grant was given. The grants, in the amount of up to US$ 5,000, were intended to cover the awardee’s travel and accommodation expenses. Grants could be awarded to doctoral students at any university in Israel and to researchers up to 10 years after receipt of their PhD. Priority was given to young researchers who did not have an advanced study fund (keren hishtalmut). Grant applications had to be submitted by the candidate at least 2 months prior to departure. Assessment of the proposal focused on the excellence of the candidate, the quality of the proposal and the distinction of the host institution.