Transition Year to Ph.D.
The “Transition Year to Ph.D.” Track at the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC) provides a structured pathway into Ph.D. research in brain sciences for outstanding M.Sc. graduates.
The track is intended for students with strong backgrounds in quantitative, computational, or related disciplines (such as computer science, mathematics, and physics), as well as for graduates in life sciences, psychology, and related fields who lack prior training in neuroscience.
The Transition Year to a Ph.D. provides a fully funded, one-year transition period prior to formal entry into a Ph.D. program. During this year, students:
- Complete neuroscience coursework tailored to their academic background and research interests, and
- Engage in research activities at ELSC while interacting with faculty to identify a laboratory and Ph.D. advisor.
At the end of the transition year, students continue directly into the Ph.D. program at ELSC under the supervision of their chosen advisor.
Applicants must meet the following academic requirements:
- An M.Sc. degree with a final grade above 90 (or equivalent). In some cases, admission may be based on M.Sc. coursework grades alone.
- In addition, we require a final grade above 85 (or equivalent) in the undergraduate degree (B.Sc. or B.A.).
Equivalent international grading systems are considered.
Participants receive a monthly fellowship of ₪7,100 during the transition year. To be eligible for the fellowship, students must have submitted their M.Sc. thesis, and by the second semester must have been awarded the M.Sc. degree.
Following the transition year, students are fully funded by their doctoral advisor.
Housing and Health Insurance (International Students Only)
During the first year of studies, international students receive full health insurance coverage and are eligible for university housing, or, alternatively, a monthly housing allowance of 2,500 NIS upon submission of a valid rental agreement.
After the transition to Stage A (doctoral status), these benefits are no longer provided by ELSC, although in some cases, host laboratories choose to continue covering health insurance and/or housing expenses at their discretion.
Applicants should submit a single PDF file by email containing:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts and diplomas (B.Sc. and M.Sc.)
- Publications (if applicable)
- A motivation letter (up to one page) describing the applicant’s interest in brain research and the relevance of a transition year
Applicants should also arrange for 2–3 letters of recommendation to be sent directly by the referees to:
study@elsc.huji.ac.il
Email subject line: “ELSC Transition year to Ph.D. Track”
- ELSC is an international research center. All graduate-level teaching is conducted in English.
- ELSC and the Hebrew University provide administrative support for international students, including visa-related processes.
