The "Climate Scholarships" program is a special innovative program led by KKL-JNF Chief Scientist, Dr. Doron Merkel.
The selected PhD candidate will receive an annual 25,000 ILS scholarship for two years, from a total of 1.8 million ILS. The program will include 36 students from the following institutes: The Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, Bar-Ilan University, Haifa University, Ben Gurion University, the Technion and the Weizmann Institute of Science.
The professional, diverse team will assist future plans for dealing with the climate crisis. The candidates' research subjects are varied and deal with renewable energy, reduction of greenhouse gasses emission, energy accumulation, preparation for climate changes, and even expected health and sociological consequences of the climate crisis.
This move by KKL-JNF aims at promoting Israeli researchers and entrepreneurs; encourage climate researches that will provide significant results. It joins a long-term plan by KKL-JNF to establish and operate a climate center that will deal with major issues: emission reduction and absorption, and preparation for extreme climate conditions caused by the climate crisis.
The climate center will lead to the development of a climate strategy and will operate in multiple fronts: implementation of climate issues in KKL-JNF's activity (forest, soil, water) and leading projects in new fields that are close to KKL-JNF's core fields (as renewable energies and dual use of fertilized areas) with a local and global impact. The center will work through collaboration with other organizations in Israel and abroad and will promote climate-related projects with social organizations, municipalities, and government agencies.
According to KKL-JNF Chair Avraham Duvdevani, "Saving the Earth is a humanitarian, Jewish and moral mission. KKL-JNF has always been an environmental organization, and a significant portion of its activity is devoted to defending and improving environmental and sustainable living conditions. KKL-JNF will continue to assist in all aspects of climate change and in the prevention of damage caused by the climate crisis in our area and in other countries."
Dr. Doron Merkel, KKL-JNF Chief Scientist added that "I'm proud to lead the 'KKL-JNF Climate Scholarships' ground-breaking program, which will award PhD candidates whose thesis deals with the climate crisis. This is an important part in the creation of a team that will form the next generation of environmental leadership. With this initiative, KKL-JNF encourages climate research and prepares people for the important fight against the climate change."