The Israeli Government Scholarships for International Students are run by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They are not a typical full-degree award. There are two tracks: an 8-month academic scholarship and a 3-week scholarship for a Hebrew summer language course. Both are aimed at people who already hold an academic degree. If you want to fund a complete master's or PhD from start to finish, this probably is not the right fit. If you want a shorter, structured period of study or research exposure in Israel, it may be.
This guide explains how the two tracks differ, what the published information does and does not tell you, and how to prepare. For the condensed version, see the full scholarship details on our scholarships section.
Two tracks, two very different commitments
The first track is an 8-month academic scholarship intended for students pursuing higher education. Eight months is roughly an academic year, which makes it suitable for a research stay, coursework attached to a degree you are already working on, or a period of specialised study at an Israeli institution.
The second track is a 3-week scholarship for a Hebrew summer language course. This is short and focused. It suits graduates with an academic or professional reason to learn Hebrew: people working in linguistics, religious studies, Middle East studies, or anyone whose later research will rely on Hebrew sources.
Pick your track before anything else. The application steps tell you to review the specific requirements for whichever track you choose, and each track is expected to have its own criteria. Applying for the language course when what you really need is research time, or the reverse, wastes a cycle.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel |
| Funding | Full or partial, depending on the award |
| Level | Post-graduate, for academic degree holders |
| Tracks | 8-month academic study; 3-week Hebrew summer language course |
| Fields | General academic studies; Hebrew language |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Country | Israel |
| Official site | Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship service |
What "full or partial" funding means here
The funding is listed as full or partial. No breakdown of stipend amounts, tuition, housing, flights or health insurance is published in the information we have, so do not assume any single item is paid for. Treat the award as possibly partial until the Ministry's own documents tell you otherwise.
What the scholarship does provide, as described, is:
- the 8-month academic scholarship or the 3-week Hebrew summer course scholarship
- access to Israeli academic institutions
- a place in an international academic exchange programme
- support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In practice this means you should budget for the gap. If your award turns out to be partial, you will need to show you can cover the rest, and that usually means proof of funds at visa stage. Our guide to bank statements and proof of funds covers how to prepare that properly.
Eligibility, and the nationality question Pakistani students must settle first
The published eligibility rules are short. You must:
- hold an academic degree
- be an international student
- meet the specific criteria for your chosen track
- apply through the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs service portal
- follow all application guidelines the Ministry provides
Notice what is missing. There is no list of eligible countries. The scholarship is described as being for international students, but one of the official tips is to check whether your home country has specific bilateral agreements with Israel regarding these scholarships. That tells you nationality matters, even though it is not spelled out.
So for Pakistani applicants the honest advice is this: check eligibility for your nationality before you spend any time on documents. Read the portal carefully, and if it is unclear, contact the nearest Israeli diplomatic mission for clarification, which is what the official guidance suggests for questions about the process. Do not rely on forums, agents or second-hand claims either way. Get the answer from the Ministry or a mission in writing if you can.
The degree requirement is also firm. Students still in their bachelor's programme are not eligible under the published rules. You need the degree completed and the certificate in hand.
Paperwork: a short list with an open-ended last item
Three items are listed as required:
- your academic degree certificates
- the completed application form
- additional documents as specified on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal
That third item is where most of the real work will be. It could include transcripts, a study or research proposal, recommendation letters, a CV or language evidence, but the portal decides, not us. Read the requirements for your track line by line once the portal opens.
For Pakistani graduates, the sensible move is to get degree certificates and transcripts verified and attested early, since that process can take weeks. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide walks through the steps. Even if the Ministry does not ask for attestation at application stage, you will likely need certified documents later.
Applying through the Ministry's portal
All applications go through the Ministry's centralised online service. There is no separate university-level route described. The process looks like this:
- Go to the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship service page.
- Review the requirements for the 8-month academic track or the 3-week language track.
- Prepare your academic documents and anything else the portal lists.
- Submit the application through the online portal.
It is a short process on paper. The difficulty is in the timing and in matching the track's specific criteria, which are only fully set out on the portal itself.
Why there is no fixed deadline to plan around
The deadline varies and must be confirmed on the official site. There is no single date we can give you, and anyone quoting a fixed date without pointing to the current portal notice is guessing.
The official tips say to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website regularly for updates on application cycles and to have your academic documents ready before the portal opens. Take both seriously. A cycle can open and close faster than an attestation appointment can be booked. A practical approach is to check the portal every couple of weeks, note any announcements, and keep a folder with your degree, transcripts and a draft statement ready at all times.
Who should apply, and who should look elsewhere
This scholarship makes sense for graduates who want a defined period in Israel: a research attachment, a year of advanced coursework, or a summer of intensive Hebrew. Researchers whose work depends on Israeli institutions or on Hebrew sources gain the most.
It makes less sense if you need a full degree funded end to end, if you are still an undergraduate, or if you cannot confirm that your nationality is eligible. In those cases your time is better spent on scholarships with published country lists and clear funding terms. Our scholarships guide for Pakistani students is a good place to compare options.
The mistakes we expect to see most often:
- assuming the award is fully funded without checking what the Ministry actually pays
- skipping the nationality check and only finding out after preparing everything
- applying for the 3-week language course while really wanting academic research time
- leaving degree certificates unready until the portal opens
- applying through third parties instead of the Ministry's own portal
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Israeli Government Scholarships?
The scholarship is described as open to international students who hold an academic degree, but no list of eligible countries is published, and applicants are advised to check bilateral agreements between their home country and Israel. Confirm eligibility for your nationality on the official portal or with an Israeli diplomatic mission before applying.
Is this a full degree scholarship?
No. The two tracks are an 8-month academic scholarship and a 3-week Hebrew summer language course. Neither is described as covering a full multi-year degree.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Funding is listed as full or partial. Exact amounts and what is covered are not published in detail, so check the terms for your track on the Ministry's portal.
Do I need a degree to apply for the Hebrew summer course?
Yes. Holding an academic degree is a requirement for both tracks under the published eligibility rules.
When is the deadline?
The deadline varies by cycle. Check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal for the current dates and keep your documents ready before it opens.
Who do I contact if the instructions are unclear?
The official advice is to contact the nearest Israeli diplomatic mission for clarification on the application process.
Before you prepare anything, read the current requirements on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal, and keep the full scholarship page handy for a quick summary.