Technion Establishes New International Prize for Transformative Innovation in Aerospace
The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has announced the establishment of the Max and Desiree Blankfeld Endowed Prize for Transformative Innovation in Aerospace, made possible through a generous gift from Max and Desiree Blankfeld of Houston, Texas.
The new endowed prize will recognize groundbreaking contributions in aerospace engineering while fostering sustained international collaboration and academic exchange. Administered by the Technion’s Stephen B. Klein Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, the prize will alternate annually between two tracks: a Distinguished Leader Award, honoring a senior researcher whose work has significantly shaped the field, and an Early Career Award, supporting an outstanding emerging scholar and enabling extended research residency at the Technion. The call for nominations will be issued in summer 2026, with the inaugural prize ceremony planned for June 2027.
Through lectures, joint research, and close engagement with faculty and students, prize recipients will contribute to a vibrant environment of innovation, mentorship, and global scientific dialogue.
Technion President, Prof. Uri Sivan, said: “Since the founding of the State of Israel, the Stephen B. Klein Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at the Technion has played a pivotal role in strengthening Israel’s security and advancing its technological leadership. As the only faculty of its kind in Israel, it has educated generations of aerospace engineers who have gone on to lead, shaping Israel’s aerospace ecosystem and contributing to its global standing. The establishment of this new award will enable us to further elevate our research excellence, attract leading scholars from around the world, and expand our work at the forefront of aerospace science and engineering.”
Max Blankfeld said: “Giving back is a deeply rewarding experience, especially when supporting an Institution and a Faculty that is crucial to the technological future and defense of the State of Israel. It has played an important role not only in the nation’s story and the lives of many Israelis, but in my own life as well.”
“This visionary gift strengthens the Technion’s role as a global hub for aerospace research and collaboration,” said Prof. Daniella Raveh, former dean of the Faculty. “It will help attract exceptional talent, promote bold ideas, and inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers.”
Max Blankfeld’s relationship with the Technion reflects both a deep personal connection and an extraordinary commitment to its future. He initially studied Aeronautical Engineering, including time as a Technion student, before pivoting to a career as a foreign correspondent and later founding and managing several successful ventures in public relations and consumer goods in Brazil and the United States. Remaining closely engaged with the Technion’s mission, Max was appointed to the Technion Board of Governors in 2025 and, together with his wife Desirée, became a Technion Guardian, establishing the Eli and Chaya Blankfeld Graduate Fellowship in honor of his Holocaust-survivor parents.
Over the years, the Blankfelds have also supported undergraduate scholarships, and their recent commitment to create the Max and Desiree Blankfeld Endowed Prize for Transformative Innovation in Aerospace underscores Max’s vision to advance transformative research and global leadership in aerospace engineering. With continued philanthropic leadership, Max exemplifies steadfast generosity and an enduring dedication to strengthening the Technion’s impact on Israel and the world.
