Unlike their American counterparts, Israeli doctors face challenges in balancing their clinical responsibilities with research. This program aims to address these issues by providing dedicated time and resources for physicians to pursue research projects.
A five-year, $100-million program has been launched by Yad Hanadiv, Klarman Family Foundation, and the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council of Higher Education to increase the number of medical researchers in Israel. The MAVRI initiative, which means “the one who heals” in Hebrew, aims to close the gap between fundamental research and clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
MAVRI will offer comprehensive research grants and support research training during medical residency and postdoctoral training for physicians. It will also create opportunities for physician-scientist startups in hospitals and facilitate dual appointments for physician-researchers in universities and hospitals.
The Israel Medical Association and 8400 – The Health Network, in collaboration with the Israel Science Foundation, will also participate in the MAVRI program. The Israel Science Foundation, known for its support of groundbreaking basic science, will contribute by providing grants for cutting-edge research on human health and disease.
Although there is no shortage of capable and interested Israeli physicians who wish to conduct research, the current situation in Israel differs from that in the United States. Unlike their American counterparts, Israeli doctors face challenges in balancing their clinical responsibilities with research. This program aims to address these issues by providing dedicated time and resources for physicians to pursue research projects.
The MAVRI program builds upon the accomplishments of the Israel Precision Medicine Partnership, which received support from the same funding partners. As IPMP concludes in 2026, MAVRI will begin its operations in the fall. IPMP facilitated collaborative research on human biology with medical relevance, resulting in numerous publications, collaborations, grants, and the establishment of startup companies.
MAVRI aims to overcome some of the challenges encountered during the IPMP initiative. It seeks to expand the scope of biomedical research beyond genomics and medical information while also supporting younger researchers and promoting gender diversity in the field.
To encourage physician involvement in research projects, MAVRI will provide laboratory spaces and necessary equipment in hospitals. Participating doctors will be able to dedicate 50 percent of their time to research without experiencing salary reductions. An international advisory committee will annually select 30 research projects, each of which will receive funding between $500,000 and $1 million.
MAVRI is a significant step in fostering a community of physician-researchers within the Israeli medical system. By providing the necessary support and resources, the program aims to unleash the potential of physicians who wish to contribute to medical science while maintaining their clinical roles.
