Israeli Researchers and Companies Secure Over €1.1 Billion in Horizon Europe Grants, Cementing Global Leadership in Innovation

19/03/2025

Breakthrough achievements across academia, industry, and SMEs highlight Israel’s role in cutting-edge research, sustainability, and technological advancements through European collaboration

The Israel Innovation Authority today announced that Israeli researchers and companies have secured €1.1 billion in funding from the Horizon Europe program between 2021 and 2024, reaffirming Israel’s global standing in research, innovation, and technology.

The funding spans multiple sectors and highlights the outstanding achievements of Israeli academia, industry, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs):

  • Academia: 605 researchers awarded approximately €592 million.
  • Industry: 386 companies received €228 million in funding.
  • SMEs: 40 companies secured €95 million.
  • EIC Accelerator Program: Israeli companies obtained an additional €242 million.
  • ERC Grants: Israel remains among the leading recipients of European Research Council (ERC) grants, with 390 researchers awarded €489 million.
  • Consortium Projects: 626 Israeli researchers and companies participated in collaborative European projects, securing €234 million.
  • Green Deal (Climate & Sustainability): 195 Israeli researchers received €110 million for climate and sustainability initiatives.

To honor these achievements, ISERD, the Israeli Horizon Directorate at the Innovation Authority, along with the European Union Delegation to Israel, will host a ceremony Wednesday evening to recognize the awarded researchers and companies. The event will feature ISERD leadership and representatives from its steering committee, which includes the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education (CHE), the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Israel Innovation Authority, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ceremony will underscore Israel’s deep collaboration with Europe—an alliance that fosters cutting-edge research and development while reinforcing Israel’s position as a global innovation leader.

Horizon Europe has provided Israeli researchers and businesses with unparalleled opportunities to forge strategic collaborations with European partners, advancing technological, environmental, and social solutions. Israel’s involvement in flagship European research infrastructures has positioned it at the forefront of pioneering fields such as quantum technologies, graphene, and brain research.

Gila Gamliel, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, said: “Israel’s success in the Horizon Europe program is a powerful testament to our scientific and technological excellence. More than €1.1 billion awarded to Israeli researchers and companies in just three years is not merely an impressive economic achievement—it is global recognition of Israel’s status as a leading innovation nation. In these challenging times, scientific collaboration with Europe serves as a strategic bridge, enhancing our capabilities and contributing to global climate, health, and technology solutions. I am particularly proud that 390 Israeli researchers have been awarded the prestigious ERC grants, positioning Israel at the forefront of groundbreaking research. The Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, together with the Israel Innovation Authority, will continue to invest in building these scientific bridges —delivering unparalleled returns to Israel’s economy, academia, and industry.”

Alon Stopel, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority, Chairman of ISERD’s Steering Committee, and Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, said:”Israel’s broad participation in the Horizon Europe program is a testament to its status as a global innovation hub—one that transcends borders and drives global impact. Collaborations with academic institutions, research labs, and leading industries across Europe open new doors for Israel to develop groundbreaking technologies, advance cutting-edge scientific research, and solidify its position as a key player in the global economy. These achievements are proof of Israel’s innovation and excellence, underscoring its role as a strategic partner in shaping the future of science and technology.”

Prof. Yossi Mekori, Chairman of the Council of Higher Education Planning and Budgeting Committee, said: “The European R&D programs are of paramount strategic importance in advancing Israeli research, strengthening cooperation with the European community, and ensuring Israel’s position as a leader at the forefront of global science. We are particularly proud of the impressive successes of Israeli researchers in European Research Council (ERC) grants, among the most prestigious and competitive grants in the world. These achievements reflect the high level of academic research in Israel, and we are committed to continue encouraging the participation of our researchers in such programs.”

Mr. Dimiter Tzantchev – EU Ambassador to the State of Israel, said: “Israel’s high-tech leadership and the EU’s strong research base make Horizon Europe a win-win. Together, we accelerate green and digital transitions, boosting resilience and competitiveness. This partnership is not just about funding projects—it’s about building a more sustainable, resilient, and knowledge-driven future for both Europe and Israel.  This is a win-win cooperation for Europe and Israel, where the final result is greater than the sum of its parts. I would like to encourage talented researchers and innovators to continue using all available opportunities offered by Horizon Europe. I would like to underline the importance of Science Diplomacy in addressing common challenges as a means to bring peace and stability to the Middle East region. The EU strongly supports Israel’s engagement with regional partners for advancing solutions to global and regional challenges.

Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, said:”Despite geopolitical shifts and global challenges, excellence and innovation are universal languages—and the ongoing success of Israeli researchers and companies in the Horizon Europe program proves this time and again. Israel continues to lead in innovation, and the impressive number of prestigious grant awards reflects its standing as a key strategic partner in Europe and worldwide. Scientific and technological collaborations are not only a growth engine for Israel’s economy but also strengthen our international ties, cementing Israel’s position as a global knowledge hub at the forefront of research and development. Despite attempts by certain actors to hinder Israel’s integration into the global arena, the results speak for themselves—scientific and technological cooperation with Europe has not only persisted but expanded. Israel is recognized as a leading partner, thanks to its groundbreaking innovation and unique capabilities, and the Israeli industry remains an integral force in developing cutting-edge technological solutions that will benefit the global economy and society as a whole.”

Highlighted Funded Projects

Israeli participation in Horizon Europe extends across diverse fields, with key projects including:

ICT and Artificial Intelligence

  • IBM Israel – TEADEL Project (2022): Focuses on “data lakes” for storing and processing large amounts of data. The project improves cloud-based data analysis while ensuring privacy, security, and energy efficiency.
  • Mellanox – SMARTEDGE Project (2023): A distributed AI network enhancing privacy, personal security, and real-time data sharing. The project includes demonstrations in healthcare, automotive, smart cities, and factories.

Security and Disaster Preparedness

  • EKON – B-prepared Project (2023): Uses virtual reality (VR) and mobile platforms to train civilians for natural disasters. The project includes interactive learning experiences and a system to monitor user readiness.

Health and Personalized Medicine

  • GENETIKAPLUS LTD (EIC Accelerator Grant, 2022): Develops blood test analysis to enhance personalized depression treatment. This project enables tailored, rapid treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Energy and Sustainability

  • Storage Drop & Prof. Gershon Grossman, Technion (EIC Pathfinder Grant, 2024): Developing CO2-based cooling systems for energy-efficient applications in food storage, computing, air conditioning, and environmental sustainability.

Social Sciences and Evolutionary Research

  • Prof. David Friesem, University of Haifa (ERC Grant, 2022): Examines Neolithic societies in the Eastern Mediterranean, analyzing the cultural and environmental impacts on social development through bio-archaeology and geo-archaeology.
  • Prof. Shulamit Michaeli (Bar-Ilan University) & Prof. Yitzhak Pilpel (Weizmann Institute) (ERC Grant, 2023): Investigates genomic instability in Leishmania parasites to understand gene expression and its links to diseases like cancer.

Quantum Physics and Theoretical Models

  • Dr. Shira Chapman, Ben-Gurion University (ERC Grant, 2024): Pioneering quantum models to advance the understanding of quantum gravity, using cutting-edge quantum information measures like entanglement, complexity, and chaos.