Call for Applications for a Scholarship Award for Students at the New Environmental School

Ephrat Pompas (née Polonsky) studied for a master's degree at the Porter School of Environmental Studies and was one of the first students there to work in the field of sustainable architecture. Efrat, who held a bachelor's degree in architecture (Cum Laude) from Pratt University in New York, began researching the topic "The place of green building in the sustainability discourse and ways to implement it". Sadly, in early 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. For a little over a year, Efrat underwent 3 surgeries, along with difficult and grueling treatments, but never gave up her hope, courage and nobility. Efrat passed away in 2010 at the age of 39, during the Passover holiday. 

In addition to her research work, Ephrat was a very active student and worked as part of her studies with the “Yad Hanadiv” Foundation and later at the Society for the Protection of Nature, as a partner in a project that dealt with sustainable architecture. During her architectural studies she also won first place in a student competition held by the Tel Aviv Municipality on the renovation of Tel Aviv boulevards.

She is survived by her husband and two daughters, parents, sister, brother, family, and many friends and acquaintances who remember her with great love and affection. After her passing, Tel Aviv University awarded her a master's degree in environmental studies from the Porter School of Environmental Studies. May her memory be a blessing.

Ephrat Pompas family will award a scholarship in her name, intended for outstanding students studying towards a master’s and Ph.D. degree in the New Environmental School, with preference given to topics related to urban sustainability, urban planning and renewal, and architecture and green building.

Eligible to apply: Graduate students in the New Environmental School, from the thesis, non-thesis and international program (except students who are enrolled in cumulative studies), and PhD students, are eligible to apply.

The award amount for 2025: 7,500 NIS

Required Application Documents:

• CV/Resume
• Recommendation letters:

Student from the thesis program and Ph.D. student - The supervisor/s is requested to send a letter of recommendation directly to the email below (not by the student).

Student from the non-thesis or international program - A lecturer who instructed the student (in a course/project, etc.) during their academic studies (also possible from the bachelor’s degree studies), is requested to send a letter of recommendation directly to the email below (not by the student).

Application deadline: April 20, 2025

The winner will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Academic excellency (based on transcript)
• Recommendation letter/s

The award will be given in the presence of the family, as part of a scholarship awards ceremony of The New Environmental School.  More details will be provided later.