Harnessing Israeli Ingenuity in the Battle for Environmental Protection
AKD Prize
The Ari Kushner prize for graduate students seeks to promote a vibrant exchange of knowledge between Israeli scientists and their peers from the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, as a means of solving burning issues in the conservation and protection of this unique, endangered area.
The Galápagos Islands have experienced growing threats and challenges, in particular the degradation of the local ecosystem due to anthropogenic changes and the introduction of invasive species. If we are to efficiently safeguard these culturally rich pristine islands, it is crucial to find alternative ways to
understand—and ultimately mitigate—these challenges. Scientists from all three universities have the knowledge, expertise, and strong motivation to contribute significantly to the global efforts to protect the Galápagos Islands from diverse perspectives.
Scholarship in honor of Ari Kushner donated by Helen Deller , Adriel Dellerץ
Alexis Deller - Kushner , Joseph Kushner Deller, Robert Kushner Deller and Simon Kushner Deller
Ari Kushner Z’L was a lion. Strong in his convictions, fierce in loving his family and friends, and voracious in his appetite for leaning. He fell in love with Ecuador after visiting it with his future wife, Alexis. After traveling the country extensively he appreciated its natural beauty and rich flora and fauna. A
Zionist, he was fiercely proud of his heritage and of his beloved Israel. Ari found great joy in the technological and scientific prowess that helped define modern Israel. He consumed as much of the research that was produced as he could, loving learning along the way and engaging in the subject matter at
depth. Ari passed away after a courageous battle against cancer. He leaves behind his wife Alexis, his children Joseph, Robert and Simon.
May Ari’s legacy endure in others’ learning, research and discoveries.
Prize details
Each year two talented graduate students from participating institutes will be awarded up to $3500 to cover their travel, accommodation and research expenses in the Galápagos Islands. Students are expected to stay up to 12 weeks and conduct a research project in collaboration with a local scientist.
Upon their return, fellowship participants will need to submit a report of their activities, which will be used for research purposes in addition to being shared with fellowship donors. All products that result from the collaboration will ensure that the appropriate co-authorship is given to those who participate in
the study.
Deadline 18/5/2025
Areas of research
Fellowship recipients will conduct research in one or more of the following main themes:
- Biodiversity and conservation (marine or terrestrial)
- Threats and challenges of island ecosystems
- Sustainability and innovation for the Galápagos Islands
Application details (to fill up and upload)
- First Name
- Family Name
- Institute (pick up from: Tel-Aviv University, Hebrew University, Ben-Gurion University, Bar-Ilan University, Haifa University, Technion, Weizmann Institute)
- Academic stage (PhD, MSc, post-doc)
- Year
- CV (to upload)
Recommendation letter (supervisor) (to upload)
Recommendation letter from host scientist (to upload)
Estimated travel costs (please specify flight, accommodation and any other anticipated costs) (to upload)
Duration of stay (to fill up)
Abstract of research plan (up to 150 words)
Research plan (up to two pages)
For any further information please contact Prof. Noa Shenkar shenkarn@tauex.tau.ac.il [1]
Selection committee
Tel Aviv University
PROF. NOA SHENKAR
Committee Chair; School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Science, and The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies
PROF. DROR AVISAR
Head of the Water Research Center & Head of the Department of Earth Sciences
Hebrew University
PROF. ALIZA FLEISCHER
Vice Dean for International Affairs & Head of The International School of Agricultural Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment
PROF. BOAZ YUVAL
Morris and Helen Mauerberger Chair in Agricultural Entomology, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment
Ben-Gurion University
PROF. SIGAL ABRAMOVICH
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel