Israel & Great Britain Launch New Academic Exchange Program

(July 20, 2008)

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown launched a new academic exchange program, signing a joint declaration establishing BIRAX - The Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership. BIRAX was developed by the British Council in collaboration with The Pears Foundation following a statement of intent from British Minister for Higher Education Bill Rammell to strengthen academic collaboration between Britain and Israel during an official visit to Israel in 2007. The new program will target junior academics by awarding those studying the exact sciences and social sciences with grants for research and exchange opportunities. The program will initially run for five years. While the British and Israeli governments will contribute £20,000 and NIS 120,000, respectively, in the first year, the vast majority of the funding will come from non-governmental sources. The Pears Foundation decided to contribute £500,000 over five years and the United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA) has stepped up to contribute £200,000 over the same time period.