Five Bar-Ilan Doctoral Students Awarded the President’s Excellence Fellowship
Out of 17 recipients nationwide, five outstanding doctoral students from Bar-Ilan University have been awarded the prestigious President’s Fellowship for Excellence and Scientific Innovation.
The Israeli President’s Fellowship is granted annually to promising PhD candidates whose research has the potential to significantly advance science in Israel. Each fellowship, valued at 147,000 NIS, is designed to provide recipients with the financial foundation needed to focus fully on their academic work and to pursue in-depth, independent, and impactful research.
Excellence in Innovation and Medical Technologies
This year’s fellowships are awarded under the theme of “Innovation in Science and Medical Technologies in the Face of Today’s Challenges.” The theme reflects the urgent global need for research that can address critical crises—from Israel’s ongoing war to the climate emergency, from pandemic response to the development of advanced medical technologies.
The five BIU recipients are:
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Roee Beitan, Department of Management
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Vika Terela, Faculty of Engineering
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Elad Refuah, Department of Psychology
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Zecharia Schwartz, Faculty of Life Sciences
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Anat Haviv-Chesner, Department of Chemistry
These doctoral students were selected for their exceptional academic achievements and for presenting research proposals distinguished by originality, innovation, and relevance to contemporary challenges.
The fellowship offers not only financial support, but also meaningful recognition from the President’s Office, highlighting the importance of nurturing Israel’s most promising young researchers.
What Does It Take to Win the President's Excellence Fellowship?
Winning the President’s Fellowship requires a unique combination of individual excellence and strong institutional backing. On a personal level, candidates must demonstrate academic distinction, creative thinking, and genuine passion for research. At the institutional level, universities must provide high-quality supervision, a supportive academic environment, and a commitment to professional development.
At Bar-Ilan, fostering excellence is a strategic priority. The University invests in supporting exceptional researchers from all parts of Israeli society, with the conviction that this investment will not only lead to breakthrough academic achievements but will also cultivate a new generation of scientists. These scholars will strengthen Israel’s position on the global stage and ensure its place at the forefront of scientific innovation.