Israel and Taiwan Launch 3-Year Scholarship for Students

A new partnership between Israel and Taiwan is opening doors for students who might otherwise have to choose between education and survival.

The scholarship program, launched in January 2026 through nonprofit Pitchon-Lev, targets young people from Israel's poorest communities. It provides three years of financial support, personal mentoring, and emotional guidance to help students complete their degrees without dropping out due to money struggles.

Oved Levi knows exactly what that pressure feels like. The construction engineering student at Sapir College's Jerusalem campus has been juggling classes, work, and caring for his family since his father fell seriously ill. His mother works at a daycare center, and Levi himself lives with a neurological leg injury from an accident.

The scholarship awarded to Levi totals approximately 23,000 shekels (about $6,000), covering his education costs for three years. He can now cut back his work hours and focus on his studies.

"The scholarship I received has significantly reduced the financial burden and allowed me to cut back on work alongside my studies," Levi said. "It is deeply moving to know that someone believes in me and gives me an equal opportunity to succeed."

The Ripple Effect

This collaboration builds on an earlier success story. Taiwan previously partnered with Pitchon-Lev on the Taiwan Empowerment Initiative, which provided full scholarships to 40 at-risk young people across Israel. Those students completed their programs and moved toward stable careers.

Taiwan was among the first countries to support Israel after October 7, and this educational partnership reflects their continued commitment. The program goes beyond just tuition payments. Students receive living stipends, professional mentoring throughout the academic year, and participation in group activities designed to build networks and skills.

"The scholarship we are launching is designed to enable young people from the periphery to persevere in their studies over time, acquire a profession, and advance toward economic independence," said Eli Cohen, CEO of Pitchon-Lev.

Abby Ya-Ping Lee, Taiwan's Head of Mission to Israel, emphasized the cultural values driving the partnership. "Taiwanese society places great importance on the values of compassion and collective responsibility," she said.

Pitchon-Lev has been working to break cycles of poverty in Israel since 1998. Beyond scholarships, the organization runs humanitarian aid centers and rights utilization centers that help families access government benefits they may not know exist.

For students like Levi, this scholarship means more than financial relief—it's validation that their dreams are worth investing in.