Over the past decades, Israel has earned a reputation as a startup nation. In Tel Aviv alone, there is one startup for every 400 residents. The Mediterranean city is considered one of the world's most important startup hubs. "New Kibbutz" offers German students access to this dynamic startup scene.
The program offers students of all types of higher education institutions funded internships in Israeli startups. The stays can last two to six months. Scholarship recipients receive financial support for living expenses, health, accident, and personal liability insurance, travel expenses, and any agency fees. In addition, a supporting program will enable recipients to get to know Israel better. Initially, approximately 50 scholarships are planned per year.
“New Kibbutz” aims to promote innovative ideas and friendship
The name of the program refers to the agricultural collective settlements from the founding days of the State of Israel. Starting in the 1960s, many young Germans worked as volunteers in the democratically organized kibbutzim and gained experience there. The "New Kibbutz" program thus also illustrates Israel's transformation from an agricultural to a high-tech country.
"Israel is a startup nation and a pioneer in digitalization. It's important to me that we deepen German-Israeli relations in these areas and learn even more from each other. With the New Kibbutz program, we want to offer students an attractive way to get to know Israel's impressive innovation landscape, gain international experience, and apply the knowledge they have acquired during their studies in practice. I am certain that New Kibbutz will not only generate promising ideas, but above all, many new friendships between Israel and Germany."
said Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek.
“With the new Israel program, we want to give students an insight into this highly dynamic and innovative business scene,”
said DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee.
“We see this as a great opportunity to strengthen ties to Israel and inspire students to start their own businesses in Germany.”
The program is designed to meet current requests for shorter stays abroad and also fits in with the principle of practical semesters at universities of applied sciences.
"We are delighted that from now on, young people from all parts of Germany will have the opportunity to experience Israel's vibrant innovation economy. After a few months of internships, they will return from Israel with innovative ideas for their professional careers. The future of German-Israeli relations also lies in the hands of these creative minds,"
says Jeremy Issacharoff, Israeli Ambassador to Germany.
