2025-26 Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship

Eligibility

1. The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to candidates who have received their PhD degrees no earlier than November 1, 2021, in all countries except Israel. Allowances are made for parental or medical leave or other career interruptions.
2. Candidates currently enrolled in a PhD program may apply as long as they complete their dissertation defence successfully no later than June 1, 2025. Official university documentation indicating a dissertation defence date will be required.
3. All nationalities, with the exception of Israel, are eligible to apply for the Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship. Nonetheless, those who acquired Israeli citizenship or residency after September 1, 2024, are eligible.
4. Candidates who commenced a postdoctoral or an academic position in Israel prior to September 1, 2024, may not apply.
5. The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to candidates who have secured an academic sponsor and will perform their postdoctoral research at one of the following Israeli institutions: Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Reichman University, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of Haifa and Weizmann Institute of Science.

Summary

The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship supports the best and brightest minds in their postdoctoral research in Israel, connecting them with world-class academics and leading researchers. This prestigious fellowship is open to researchers in any academic discipline at eligible institutions in Israel. The program offers a two-year fellowship, with the option to extend for a third year. The fellowship selects 24 postdoctoral researchers each year, who are provided with a monthly stipend of 14,000 ILS, along with access to enrichment activities, networking events, and personalized support. 

A maximum of 24 Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowships are awarded each year: up to 18 Fellowships in STEM fields, up to three in humanities and up to three in social sciences.

At the time of application, all applicants are required to have an academic sponsor who is a faculty member at one of the following eligible Israeli institutions: Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Reichman University, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of Haifa, and Weizmann Institute of Science.

Academic sponsors can only sponsor a single candidate throughout the Azrieli Fellows application process. The academic sponsor will confirm the candidate’s suitability, undertake to actively support, collaborate and share relevant expertise with the candidate, and ensure availability of facilities, office space, and funding to carry out the proposed research. In STEM fields, the academic sponsor will finance 25 percent of the stipend, totaling ILS 84,000 for two years (ILS 42,000 per year).

The Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellows are selected according to a highly competitive process focused on academic and research excellence without regard to any institutional affiliations, race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or age.

Applications will be evaluated according to academic excellence, proposed research, and leadership and versatility. Ideal candidates will have an excellent academic track record and the potential to perform groundbreaking research, alongside an intellectual curiosity that transcends their field of study. They will possess a character that facilitates teamwork, scientific and societal leadership, with traits such as empathy, humility and integrity, alongside communication capabilities.

How much is the fellowship? 

The fellowship is made up of a basic stipend of ILS 168,000 per academic year, with an additional ILS 20,000 granted annually for research expenses and research-related travel. In STEM fields, the academic sponsor will finance 25 percent of the stipend, totaling ILS 84,000 for two years (ILS 42,000 per year).

When does the fellowship begin?

The starting date of the fellowship is October 2025, which is the beginning of the 2025–26 Israeli academic year. However, candidates are permitted to start their fellowship as early as June 1, 2025, or as late as February 1, 2026.

How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship is offered for two years. Renewal for a third year will be considered favourably based on a competitive evaluation process.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

Application deadlines

Recommendations from Referees and the Intended Academic Sponsor Submission Deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Call for Applications

• Fellowship Guidelines
• Application Portal and Instructions