In May, 2014, the Helmsley Charitable Trust awarded the University of Haifa a $7 million grant to establish the Helmsley Charitable Trust Mediterranean Sea Research Center in order to advance the fields of marine sciences and offshore energy development in the region, and to further strengthen the University’s leading role in these fields.

The grant has enabled the University to establish a shallow-water coastal monitoring station at S’dot Yam and a deep-sea coastal facility at the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute. The funding was also used towards the purchase of a remotely operated underwater research vehicle, the establishment of state-of-the-art marine laboratories, expansion of international collaboration efforts, and support of student scholarships. The generous funding will allow the Center to expand its future research agenda to include initiatives that focus on climate and sea level changes, sustainable underwater energy sources as well as environmentally responsible coastal development.

Over 200 guests attended the dedication of the Helmsley deep-sea facility at Shikmona, held during the University of Haifa’s 44th Board of Governors Meeting in June. Amos Shapira, immediate past President of the University of Haifa, said, “Today we are touring new laboratories and facilities which were only a dream – a hopeful wish – a couple of years ago. The new Helmsley Center – advancing interdisciplinary research in fields from marine geophysics and marine biology, to offshore energy exploration, environmental studies and maritime law – is a remarkable achievement for the University, and a great achievement for the State of Israel and for science worldwide.”

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s grantmaking program in Israel supports leading institutions and initiatives that seek to strengthen the nation’s leadership in scientific, technological and medical research, its healthcare services and preparedness, and its standing in the world.