Maccabim
Foundation

Academic Scholarships for Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral Students

For over three decades the Maccabim Foundation has been nurturing Israel's higher education by awarding scholarships to students from all parts of Israeli society.

Years of Philanthropy
30
Awarded Scholarships
16K
Aggregate Scholarships Value
20M ₪

2026 academic year scholarships: Similar to the last two years, 2026 scholarships will also be awarded to students in health professions from the following Israeli institutions: Tel Aviv University, University of Haifa, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University, Ariel University, Sapir College, Ashkelon Academic College, Tel-Hai College, Zefat Academic College, and Achva Academic College. (Ben-Gurion University is not among the institutions eligible for the 2026 scholarships, our apologies)

The exact eligibility criteria have been sent to the above institutions, and scholarship applications will be submitted through them. Therefore, to check your eligibility, you must contact your academic institution. Priority in the allocation of scholarships will be given to reservists, students who were affected during the war, and residents of evacuated communities.

The foundation will continue to promote research and preservation of the heritage of Iranian Jewry and the integration of Iranian Jews into Israeli society.

The awarding of scholarships for the year 2025 has concluded. For updates regarding the scholarships for 2026, subscribe to our mailing list using the form in the footer and/or follow us on social media.
Welcome to our new website! 😎✨

In light of the ongoing war, the Foundation's management decided that, similar to the 2024 academic year, the 2025 scholarships will also be awarded to students in health professions, which are being taught in the following institutions in Israel: Tel Aviv University, University of Haifa, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University, Ariel University, Sapir College, Ashkelon Academic College, Tel-Hai College, Zefat Academic College, and Achva Academic College. For the reasons behind this decision, please refer to the chairman's letter.

The exact eligibility criteria have been sent to the above institutions, and scholarship applications will be submitted through them. Therefore, to check your eligibility, you must contact your academic institution. Priority in the allocation of scholarships will be given to reservists, students who were affected during the war, and residents of evacuated communities.

The foundation will continue to promote research and preservation of the heritage of Iranian Jewry and the integration of Iranian Jews into Israeli society.

Latest Updates

2026 academic year scholarships: Similar to the last two years, 2026 scholarships will also be awarded to students in health professions from the following Israeli institutions: Tel Aviv University, University of Haifa, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University, Ariel University, Sapir College, Ashkelon Academic College, Tel-Hai College, Zefat Academic College, and Achva Academic College. (Ben-Gurion University is not among the institutions eligible for the 2026 scholarships, our apologies)

The exact eligibility criteria have been sent to the above institutions, and scholarship applications will be submitted through them. Therefore, to check your eligibility, you must contact your academic institution. Priority in the allocation of scholarships will be given to reservists, students who were affected during the war, and residents of evacuated communities.

The foundation will continue to promote research and preservation of the heritage of Iranian Jewry and the integration of Iranian Jews into Israeli society.

The awarding of scholarships for the year 2025 has concluded. For updates regarding the scholarships for 2026, subscribe to our mailing list using the form in the footer and/or follow us on social media.
Welcome to our new website! 😎✨

In light of the ongoing war, the Foundation's management decided that, similar to the 2024 academic year, the 2025 scholarships will also be awarded to students in health professions, which are being taught in the following institutions in Israel: Tel Aviv University, University of Haifa, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University, Ariel University, Sapir College, Ashkelon Academic College, Tel-Hai College, Zefat Academic College, and Achva Academic College. For the reasons behind this decision, please refer to the chairman's letter.

The exact eligibility criteria have been sent to the above institutions, and scholarship applications will be submitted through them. Therefore, to check your eligibility, you must contact your academic institution. Priority in the allocation of scholarships will be given to reservists, students who were affected during the war, and residents of evacuated communities.

The foundation will continue to promote research and preservation of the heritage of Iranian Jewry and the integration of Iranian Jews into Israeli society.

Our Scholarships
For 2026

Healthcare Studies

3,000 ₪*

Scholarship for students in nursing, physiotherapy, or occupational therapy.

Mental Health Studies

3,000 ₪*

Scholarship for students in social work or a master’s degree in psychology.

Socio-Economic

2,500 ₪*

Scholarship based on financial necessity.

*Amounts are not final.

Collaborations

The Foundation's chairman, Prof. David Menashri, speaking at the scholarships award ceremony

In the past two years, Maccabim Foundation has been transitioning from receiving scholarship applications directly from students to a awarding scholarships in close collaboration with the educational institutions. Generally, at the beginning of each academic year, after having decided on that year's goals in terms of the number and purpose of the scholarships, we initiate contact with the relevant faculties and request their recommendations on students that meet the eligibility criteria set for the scholarships. We then contact the recommended students with a request for the necessary details for the final approval and awarding of the scholarships. In recent years, most scholarships were allocated to students in health professions (nursing, social work, psychology, etc.). If you are an academic or administrative member of a faculty in these fields and not currently collaborating with us, or are aware of a special case that warrants individual consideration, please contact us with your position, and we will consider your request seriously.

Contact Us

About Us

Establishment

The Maccabim Foundation was established in 1995 as a joint initiative of prominent public figures from New York, USA, who founded the "Maccabi Foundation" in New York for this purpose. Leading them were: Elias Kalimian, Zion Mahfar, Yosef Shahary, Prof. Iraj Lalezari, Amir Bokhor, and Salim Morad. Loyal partners from the very beginning were the American Jewish Federation in New York. The activity in Israel was led by Prof. David Menashri, chairman of the foundation since its inception.

Shaul Mofaz speaking at the Maccabim Foundation scholarship award ceremony

The Early Years

The initial activity was modest. In the first year, scholarships totaling about $70,000 were awarded at an impressive ceremony held at Binyanei Ha'Uma in Jerusalem. Since then, there has been a steady increase in the amount of scholarships, the number of applicants, and the number of recipients. This is the most important project in the Iranian Jewish community in Israel.

Awarding scholarships to Ethiopian descendants

Purpose

From its inception to the present, the Maccabim Foundation has worked to promote social equality by providing financial assistance to students in all institutions of higher education in Israel, with priority given to students of Iranian descent. In addition, the foundation supports research on the cultural heritage of Iranian Jewry and Iranian studies in general, as well as any activity that contributes to the advancement of the Iranian Jewish community in the fields of education, society, and culture.

The stage at the Maccabim Foundation scholarship award ceremony

Our Scholarships

The foundation has a board of a dozen members, which meets from time to time during the year and more frequently before the distribution of scholarships. The members of the scholarship committee are academics and public figures who review the applications and decide on the allocation of scholarships according to criteria set by the board. The awarding of scholarships is conducted in the presence of public figures, representatives of donors from abroad, and university representatives, at a ceremony that in recent years has been held at Tel Aviv University.

Awarding scholarships at the Maccabim Foundation ceremony

Want to get to know us more?

The Chairman's letter
Members
Donors

Healthcare Studies

Scholarship for students in medical faculties in Israel, except for students from the schools of medicine and dentistry.

Eligibility Criteria

  • In the current Academic year (2026), the applicant is an active student at an academic institution in Israel which is recognized as such by the Israeli Council for Higher Education ("Malag").
  • In the current academic year, the applicant is enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degree in one or more of the following fields: nursing, physiotherapy, or occupational therapy.

Estimated Scholarship:

3,000 ₪.*

*The actual scholarship amount may be higher or lower depending on the financial situation of the foundation – which is entirely based on donations – and the number of scholarship recipients in this year.

It is not possible to directly apply for a scholarship this year. In the academic year 2025, all our scholarships will be awarded in collaboration with the relevant educational institutions, and it is their responsibility to contact the suitable candidates. For the reasons behind this decision, please refer to the the chairman's letter. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Mental Health Studies

Scholarship for students in mental health professions.

Eligibility Criteria

  • In the current Academic year (2026), the applicant is an active student at an academic institution in Israel which is recognized as such by the Israeli Council for Higher Education ("Malag").
  • In the current academic year, the applicant is enrolled in an undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degree in social work and/or a master’s or PhD degree in psychology.

Estimated Scholarship:

3,000 ₪.*

*The actual scholarship amount may be higher or lower depending on the financial situation of the foundation – which is entirely based on donations – and the number of scholarship recipients in this year.

It is not possible to directly apply for a scholarship this year. In the academic year 2025, all our scholarships will be awarded in collaboration with the relevant educational institutions, and it is their responsibility to contact the suitable candidates. For the reasons behind this decision, please refer to the the chairman's letter. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Socio-Economic

Scholarship for academic students whose circumstances do not fit any of the other scholarships, but have unique circumstances that may justify a scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria

  • In the current Academic year (2026), the applicant is an active student at an academic institution in Israel which is recognized as such by the Israeli Council for Higher Education ("Malag").
  • The applicant has unique circumstances that lead to financial need in order to successfully complete their studies.

Estimated Scholarship:

2,500 ₪.*

*The actual scholarship amount may be higher or lower depending on the financial situation of the foundation – which is entirely based on donations – and the number of scholarship recipients in this year.

It is not possible to directly apply for a scholarship this year. In the academic year 2025, all our scholarships will be awarded in collaboration with the relevant educational institutions, and it is their responsibility to contact the suitable candidates. For the reasons behind this decision, please refer to the the chairman's letter. We apologize for any inconvenience.