The Minerva Stiftung

Pioneering in German-Israeli scientific cooperations since 1962

Rich in tradition the Minerva Stiftung is the oldest of all German-Israeli cooperation programmes and up to today is being funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). The Minerva Stiftung stands for exceptional scientific research and cooperation as well as for deep confidence and friendship.

How it all started

History of the Minerva Stiftung

History

In 1959, a delegation of the Max Planck Society, headed by its president Otto Hahn, visited the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. The background was that after a long time of silence scientific contacts between researchers of these institutions were coming to life. Following this meeting, the German government provided DM 3 million start-up capital for research projects and the exchange of scientists and researchers with the Weizmann Institute. more

Our mission

Not only does the Minerva Stiftung offer opportunities for outstanding research and excellent cooperation, it also provides a scope in which intimating relations between German and Israeli researchers can evolved.

The Minerva Stiftung cooperates closely with the seven main Israeli universities and research organizations by

a fellowship programme for doctoral students and postdocs,
a programme to establish research centers,
a programme for workshops and conferences,
a programme for project funding.

Their entire aim is to support young outstanding scientists and new innovative research fields.

Main Programmes

The Fellowship Programme has developed imposingly into one of the most important German-Israeli exchange programmes for your scientists.

Minerva Fellowship - Programme Information

The Minerva Fellowship Programme (funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research) enables Israeli and German scientists to complete a research residency at institutions in the respective other country. more

In addition, at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, a large number of excellent projects are funded annually by the Minerva Stiftung within the Minerva-Weizmann Programme.

Minerva Weizmann Programme

Weizmann

The Minerva-Weizmann-Programme was the first scientific programme between Germany and Israel. For its implementation, the Minerva Stiftung was founded to maintain and cultivate the scientific exchange between the two countries. more

Moreover, another leading aspect is the Minerva Centers Programme: As “Centers of Excellence” they are being installed within a competitive process and run by means of support for excellent scientific research and to boost German-Israeli cooperation for a limited amount of time.