Structure & Activities

The Mortimer and Raymond Sackler Institute of Advanced Studies operates as a partly virtual unit: There is no Institute building and all activities are coordinated by a small administrative staff. While a Visiting Scholar is a guest of the Institute, the hosting academic unit is responsible for providing office and/or laboratory space, computer services and necessary facilities. 

The Mortimer and Raymond Sackler Institute of Advanced Studies is governed by a Steering Committee composed of the President and Rector of the University (ex-officio), the Director of the institute (ex-officio) and five senior members of the faculty who are appointed by the President and the Rector. 

The Steering Committee is responsible for selecting prospective Fellows from the candidates proposed by the Faculties. Each year about 30 to 40 Visiting Scholars are selected in the distinct IAS frameworks, representing virtually all the academic disciplines. Until 2020, about 350 guests have visited the Institute. The Institute provides the fellowship/per diem as well as hotel/apartment accommodation, transportation costs (including spouses of Fellows who stay for a whole semester). 

Our visiting scholars are free to do their own research at the university, to collaborate with other researchers in joint work, or participate in any way they see fit in the life of the university. Most of our guests have chosen to give a few lectures in their field of expertise. The lectures are frequently the highlight of the semester and attended by academics from all over Israel.