about GIF

Text Box: THE FOUNDATION

Minister Prof. D.Hershkowitz (Co-Chairperson of the Board) Federal Minister Dr. A. Schavan (Co-Chairperson of the Board) Prof. D. Mendlovic Chief Scientist, MOS (Acting Co-Chairperson of the Board) Mr. T. Rachel State Secretary, BMBF (Acting Co-Chairperson of the Board) Governors (in alphabetical order) Prof. Dr. M. Baehr (Universitaet Goettingen) Prof. A. Ciechanover (Technion, Haifa) Prof. Dr. K. Kern, (MPI f. Festkoerperforschung, Stuttgart) Prof. Dr. J. Kocka (WZB, Berlin) Prof. E. Lifshitz (Technion, Haifa) Prof. Y. Shapira (Tel Aviv University) Director Dr. A. Barak The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development G.I.F.), established by the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the State of Israel, is an additional instrument complementing the continuous fruitful ties in scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. Both parties recognize that mutual cooperation in scientific research will strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding between the German and Israeli peoples and advance the state of scientific research and development to the benefit of both countries. The distinguishing feature of the G.I.F. approach is the joint participation and equal responsibility of both Ministries in financing, management and decision making. The Foundation's activities are determined by an agreement between the two Ministries signed in July 1986. The Foundation is an independent body, directed by a Board of Governors consisting of an equal number of German and Israeli members. Its administration is headed by a Director, appointed by the Board of Governors, who is responsible for operations and staffing. G.I.F.'s objective is to promote and fund basic and applied scientific research projects for peaceful purposes in both countries. Its annual budget is derived from interest on a EURO 190 million endowment fund contributed in equal parts by the two countries. The Foundation has been established as a legal entity by the Israeli Knesset and the German Bundestag. Research proposals must conform to the scientific and administrative requirements of the Foundation, which may be revised from time to time.