NBN Grants 2026: How Much Money Does Nefesh BNefesh Actually Give You

Quick Answer

Nefesh B'Nefesh grants for olim from North America and the UK typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on age, family status, and destination city. Grants are not publicly listed — each applicant receives an individual offer based on their profile. Apply directly at nbn.org.il as early as possible in the process.

What NBN Grants Actually Are

Nefesh B'Nefesh is a nonprofit that works alongside the Jewish Agency and Israel's Misrad HaKlita to assist olim from North America (US and Canada) and the United Kingdom. Their grants are a combination of NBN's own funding and coordinated Jewish Agency benefits. The amounts are not posted publicly because they vary based on individual applicant profile — age, family size, profession, and destination all affect the grant amount.

Grant Ranges by Profile (Based on Community Reports 2026)

Single young adult (under 35): typically $3,000-$5,000 total. Couple without children: typically $5,000-$8,000 total. Family of 4: typically $8,000-$15,000 total. Medical professionals (doctors, nurses): often higher grants with additional healthcare sector incentives. Development town settlement: additional grants of $5,000-$10,000 for settling in designated areas (Beer Sheva, Dimona, Kiryat Gat, Afula etc.).

These figures are based on community-reported experiences shared in Anglo aliyah Facebook groups and are not official NBN figures — actual amounts depend on your specific application.

How to Maximise Your NBN Grant

Apply early. NBN processes applications in order and grant allocations are made on a rolling basis. Applicants who begin the process 12+ months before aliyah typically receive higher offers than those who apply 3 months before. Call your NBN advisor and ask directly what factors improve your grant eligibility — they will tell you.

Consider a development town. Settling in a designated development area (ir pituach) significantly increases your grant. NBN publishes the list of qualifying towns annually. Beer Sheva, Dimona, Yerucham, Kiryat Shmona, and others qualify. If you are flexible on location, this is the single biggest lever on your total grant.

Disclose your profession. Healthcare workers, teachers, engineers, and other sought-after professions sometimes qualify for additional sector-specific incentives coordinated by NBN and relevant Israeli ministries.

What Grants Do NOT Cover

NBN grants are not designed to cover your full aliyah costs. They are a supplement, not a salary. Do not plan your aliyah finances around getting the maximum grant — plan for the minimum and treat anything above that as a bonus. The full cost of aliyah for a single person is typically $15,000-$30,000 in the first year including the move, deposit, and living costs before your first paycheck.

FAQ

Q: Is the NBN grant taxable in Israel?
A: Israeli government absorption grants and NBN-coordinated grants are generally exempt from Israeli income tax under the oleh tax exemption framework. Confirm with a yoetz mas (Israeli tax advisor) for your specific situation, especially if you also receive US or UK income.

Q: Can I get the NBN grant if I make aliyah independently without NBN?
A: No. NBN grants are specifically for olim who make aliyah through the NBN program. If you make aliyah independently through the Jewish Agency, you receive standard Jewish Agency benefits but not NBN-specific grants.

Q: When does the money arrive?
A: NBN grants are typically paid in stages — a portion at the airport on arrival and the remainder in installments over the first 3-6 months, often coordinated with your Israeli bank account being set up.

Get specific advice for your situation in our Facebook community — olim who went through NBN share their real grant amounts and timelines.