Aim To promote the fields of science and technology in institutes of higher education.

Overview The Guastalla Fellowship program was launched in the early 1990's to help institutions of higher education absorb new immigrant scientists. In view of developments in the field of higher education in Israel, the program has been extended to new areas. It is implemented in cooperation with the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education, and operated through Rashi's Horizon Unit.

1. Universities Aim: to bolster the science faculty at Israel's leading institutes of higher education. Targets: new immigrant scientists of proven excellence, or Israelis returning after a stay abroad (and holding tenured positions abroad). Duration: 2 years, after which, the institute commits to granting tenure. No. of recipients: 111 Rashi's involvement: 80% of salary + special budget for research equipment Launched in 1990, this program has been phased out.

2. Regional Colleges Aim: to help build up a permanent staff infive regional academic colleges – Tel Hai, Jezreel Valley, ORT Carmiel, Be'er Sheva College of Engineering, and Sapir. Duration: 3 years, after which the recipient commits to remain on the staff of the college for at least five years. No. of recipients: 18 Rashi's involvement: 100% of fellowship costs Launched in 1997, this program has been phased out.

3. Retraining Aim: to enable scientists with a PhD in science or technology to retrain to science and technology education. Duration: 1 year No. of recipients: 3 Rashi's involvement: 66% of salary

4. Science Teaching Aim: to assist in advancing and establishing the area of science and technology teaching in universities. Duration: 3 years, after which the institute commits to absorbing the recipient onto the staff. No. of recipients: 27 Rashi's involvement: 50% of salary + special budget

5. Doctorates Aim: to enable excellent doctorates in the area of science and technology teaching to devote themselves full-time to their studies and thereby shorten the period of their studies until they gain their degree; and to encourage students to continue on to third-degree studies in the area of science and technology teaching. Duration: 3 years. No. of recipients: 24 Rashi's involvement: 66% (subsistence award)

Hospital Physicians Aim: to upgrade hospital services in the periphery through the integration of cutting-edge medical knowledge and skills Targets: physicians working in hospitals in the periphery, and/or from disadvantaged backgrounds, to spend up to two years abroad for advanced study in their field, after which their hospital is obliged to re-employ them. No. of recipients: approx. 100 (currently 30) Rashi's involvement: living stipend + optional additional loan Launched formally in 2004

Partners Council for Higher Education Universities Regional colleges