The Science Absorption Center operates designated programs for the integration of returning residents to Israel, as detailed in the following:
The main program for returning resident R&D researchers
Assistance includes personal consultation and guidance for the scientist as well as financing provided to the employer as participation in the costs of employing a researcher.
The Center services will assist the Israeli residing abroad to locate appropriate employment even before returning to Israel.
The Science Absorption Center will transfer the financial aid provided directly to employers – such as universities and business and public sector employers.
Assistance will be provided in one of the following instances:
Researchers or lecturers receiving salaries from universities, or public/business sector employees, will receive assistance for one year with possible division to two years.
Doctorate students with university scholarships (to finance tuition fees and living expenses) – financing of half of the scholarship for 3 years.
Post-doctorate students with university scholarships – financing of half the scholarship for two years.
Special programs for strengthening the Negev and Galilee regions – for returning resident research scientists and doctors
Government policy has made "development and strengthening of the Negev and Galilee a top priority" and accordingly the Ministry for Immigrant Absorption through the Science Absorption Center is operating two new programs this year in an attempt to encourage the return and absorption of biologists and doctors in companies and hospitals in the Negev and Galilee.
Selection for these programs is individually competitive and the number of places is limited by budget.
a. The absorption of biological scientists in bio-technology companies
The Ministry provides assistance to encourage the absorption of biological scientists, returning Israelis and immigrants, as researchers in bio-technology companies in the north of Israel.
Assistance is provided to the employing institution, as Absorption Ministry participation in part of the employment costs of a research scientist, for a period of 3 years for a set annual sum of NIS 150,000 and provided that this amount constitutes at least half of the full costs of employment.
Immigrants or returning residents with PhD degrees in biological sciences are eligible for inclusion in the program.
b. Absorption of medical research doctors in hospitals
The Ministry provides assistance to encourage the absorption of immigrant and returning resident doctors, as research doctors in hospitals in the Negev and northern regions of the country.
Assistance is provided to the hospital, as Absorption Ministry participation in part of the employment costs of a research doctor, for a period of 3 years for a changing annual sum of NIS 250,000 for the first year and NIS 125,000 for the second and third years as well as NIS 50,000 for research expenses.
A doctor selected for the program will be employed by one of the hospitals in the Negev or north of the country in full time position divided into half as doctor and half as researcher.
Immigrant or returning resident doctors with MD degrees in are eligible for inclusion in the program.
A designated European Research Fund for Returning Scientists
Within framework of cooperation between the European Union and Israel in the field of R&D, Israel is included among others in the Marie Curie International Reintegration Grants program.
The program objective is to provide financial assistance to Israeli researchers who resided and performed studies for at least 3 years in countries that are not European, and who wish to return to Israel and to continue their research work.
Researchers that have returned to Israel must submit research proposals before commencing work. Applications can be submitted throughout the year.
Research proposals can be in all fields of scientific and technological research, except for atomic research, which is included in the EURATOM agreement.
Applications for assistance are to be submitted together with the "Hosting Research Body" in Israel.
For an accepted proposal an agreement will be signed with the Hosting Research Body that will commit to a successful absorption of the scientist for at least 3 years.
Financing for the sum of €100,000 will be transferred to the Hosting Research Body to cover research costs of purchasing research equipment and disposable equipment, travel expenses, payments to workers that are not the researcher, etc.
For additional information on the European Research Fund: www.iserd.org.il
Eligibility for Science Absorption Center assistance
The Science Absorption Center operates in three areas, each dealing with a researcher population according to the applicant's academic expertise:
Technology and exact sciences
Social and behavioral sciences
Biological and medical sciences
Returning resident scientists, eligible for Science Absorption Center assistance have to fulfill one of the following conditions:
1. Eligibility for employment financing assistance:
A Ph degree scientist who has performed research or development for three of the five years preceding return to Israel and published at least three articles in recognized academic journals or registered at least three patents.
A Master degree scientist who has performed research or development for four of the six years preceding return to Israel and published at least three articles in recognized academic journals or registered at least three patents.
A young scientist up to age 32, with a master degree but without R&D experience that finds R&D placement on the business sector, will be entitled to one year of assistance in the industry.
2. Eligibility for research student grants:
A returning resident who received candidacy approval from the university no later than one year from the date of return to Israel.
The age of the candidate does not exceed 37 on the date of being accepted as a research student by the university.
Important to know
Financial assistance from the Science Absorption Center is subject to:
Returning to Israel and receiving "returning resident" status.
Recognition by the Science Absorption Center of the returning resident as a scientist.
Committee decision to approve Science Absorption Center assistance.
The Science Absorption Center will begin the candidate's eligibility examination procedures as a scientist and will provide consultation on employment possibilities prior to the return to Israel, however initiated distribution by the Center to potential employers and provision of financial aid are subject to approval of the candidate as a returning resident scientist (who was abroad for 3 years prior to returning to Israel).
Registration with the Science Absorption Center requires submission of the following documents:
A resume in Hebrew or English.
A list of scientific publications and patents registered to the applicant's name.
A photocopy of degree certificates (PhD and/or Master Diplomas).
Photocopy of the identity card or passport first page.
The personal absorption consultant at the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption Bureau nearest to your place of residence in Israel will provide the returning resident with scientist status.
After checking the passport stamps and Ministry of Internal Affairs records the material will be transferred for approval by the Returning Residents Department.
For additional information concerning assistance provided by the Science Absorption Center, see:
Public organizations that deal with project promotion
The scholarship program for research students
Vacant positions at higher education institutions
Kol Koreh – for absorbing scientists at bio-technological companies in the North
Kol Koreh – for research doctor positions
Encouraging the return of R&D Personnel
For the definition of "scientist" and assistance terms see the chapter scientists at the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption website.
Actual receipt of services and assistance after returning to Israel requires Ministry of Immigrant Absorption recognition of 'returning resident' eligibility.
Registration to the Campaign
For information and consultation services abroad and in Israel please fill in the Campaign Registration Form.