A new multi-million pound investment fund has been set up for Israeli scientists at the University of Cambridge.

The fund, provided by the Blavatnik Family Foundation, will enable Israelis to pursue post-doctorate research at the leading university.

Three Israeli scientists have already benefitted from the investment – and are now working to further their research in engineering, genetics and physics at Cambridge.

Jewish philanthropist Len Blavatnik, who was raised in Russia, said: “I am very pleased to strengthen the Foundation’s existing links to Cambridge with this important initiative, which will serve the mutual interests of the university, the Israeli scientific community and those selected to be Blavatnik Fellows.”

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University, said: “We are committed to enabling the very best people from around the world to come to Cambridge, to drive forward our pioneering research and address new questions. We are delighted that the generosity of Leonard Blavatnik and the Blavatnik Family Foundation adds a further way in which we can support this ambition.”

UK Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould welcomed the announcement. He said: “The Blavatnik Scholarships will be hugely to the benefit of both Britain and Israel, and to the friendship between them. Britain will have some of the leading young scientists in the world coming to do their research in Cambridge. Israeli scientists will get to work in one of the world's top universities. And the scheme will strengthen the web of co-operation, friendship and respect between the two scientific communities."

A spokesman explained: “Fellows will receive an annual stipend of £30,000, and Fellowships will be tenable for up to two years. It is planned that there will be at least three Fellows appointed each year, although it is anticipated that this number may increase in future years.”