The Weizmann Institute of Science will offer an emergency program meant to help those doing their postdoctorates who have been hurt by the coronavirus plague, the institute announced on Thursday.
As coronavirus began spreading, many were forced to alter their academic plans in order to accommodate the new restrictions. Many of them were about to leave for other countries to begin their postdoctorates, as well as those who had already gone abroad, but were forced to return to Israel early due to the situation.
The program is meant to help fund the post-doctorate research of those who are found eligible with a total fund of $2 million – half from the leadership of the institute, the other half from research grants that support the institute's labs, which will host the 30 researchers who will be accepted over the course of two years.
“Research institutions around the world have reduced the scope of their activities due to the pandemic; budgets and scholarships have been cut; strict travel regulations limit entry to other countries," said Prof. Mike Fainzilber, chairman of the Feinberg Graduate School Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. “These emergency postdoc fellowships enable the institute to provide some interim support to Israeli scientists – or those who want to live in Israel – who have been affected by the corona crisis, to help them stay on the academic track.”
“Postdoctoral research is an important step in the career path of a scientist. The Institute is thus committed to assisting young researchers who have been adversely affected by the pandemic,” said Weizmann Institute of Science president Prof. Alon Chen. “Helping them realize their scientific potential and giving them the opportunity to complete their scientific research at the Weizmann Institute of Science” is important, he said.