What it is about
The Adams Fellowship Program awards grants to 16 Israeli doctoral students in STEM fields, reaffirming commitment to scientific excellence and innovation despite recent geopolitical tensions.
Why it matters
Amid growing international isolation directed toward Israeli academics, the Adams Fellowship highlights the country’s dedication to fostering top-tier scientific research and nurturing future innovators.
Details
On Sunday, the Adams Fellowship Program awarded fellowships to 16 doctoral students. This ceremony covered both the new recipients of 2024 and those from 2023, as the latter’s ceremony was postponed due to the October 7 massacre. The annual Adams Seminar hosted the event, presided over by Sylvan Adams, alongside the Adams Committee Chairman, Prof. Moshe Oren, and immediate past president of the Israel Academy, Prof. Nili Cohen.
Each fellowship winner will receive an annual stipend of NIS 100,000 for their doctoral studies at Israeli universities, plus a $3,000 annual stipend for international professional development.
Prof. David Harel’s Take
Prof. David Harel, current president of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, emphasized the importance of supporting Israeli academics, “In these uncertain times, as we observe increasing signs of academic isolation directed toward Israeli scientists and research institutions, it is more important than ever to reaffirm our commitment to the universal values of science: collaboration, innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of humanity. The newly awarded Adams Fellows represent the pinnacle of academic excellence, embodying the future of Israeli science. We are deeply grateful to the Adams Family for their unwavering support through the Adams Fellowships, which continue to empower the next generation of Israeli researchers.”
Sylvan Adams’ Contribution
Reflecting on Israel’s journey, philanthropist Sylvan Adams stated, “Over the past few decades, Israel has transformed itself into the Start-Up Nation of the world. Now, more than ever, as we near the one-year anniversary of the October 7 pogrom, we must continue to strengthen Israeli society and support the next generation of Israeli innovators. With groundbreaking research leading to world-class innovation and technology, we will build bridges that connect the Jewish State to the entire world. I am honored to continue the annual Adams Fellowship program, providing full financial support to graduate students in the sciences studying at Israeli universities, which my late father, Marcel, initiated 20 years ago.”
Keynote Insights from Prof. Amnon Shashua
The Adams Seminar’s keynote address was given by Prof. Amnon Shashua, president & CEO of Mobileye. He highlighted the immense potential of AI, “I believe that the world of artificial general intelligence is not farfetched; it’s around the corner, and it’s very exciting. I have faith in the young generation of Israelis – they’re primed to drive the next wave of breakthroughs in AI tech. Now more than ever, we need to back their potential to keep Israel a global hub for innovation and start-ups.”
This article was written in cooperation with Sylvan Adams.
This story was first published on jpost.com.