Promoting Applied Research in Academia

The program encourages applied research with innovative technological feasibility that originated in academia and is brought to a stage where an Israeli industrial company can further develop and commercialize it.

Bridging the knowledge gap between academia and the needs of the industry, thus bringing the project to the level of interest of business entities up to a commercialization agreement with the research institution; Alternatively, the project will be accompanied by the support of a corporation that sees business potential for project achievements. The main objective is to reach significant milestones at the end of the project, which will enable an industrial entity to sign an agreement with the research institution to commercialize the technology. The, the addition of a supporting corporation at any stage will increase the likelihood of a successful commercialization.

Research groups from all research institutions in Israel – universities, colleges, technical research institutes, and medical centers who wish to carry out applied research as a continuation of basic research conducted by the same research group. The research must demonstrate innovation in terms of industrial application, and its results should be applicable in Israeli industry and provide high added value to the entire economy. Applications may be submitted by one to three Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) representing up to three collaborating researchers from the same of different research institutions.

Academia:

The maximum budget for a single researcher is up to NIS 1,250,000 with no annual limit or subcontractor budget cap. An additional NIS 250,00 may be granted per additional researcher (up to three).

Funding Rates: 

• A research institution not supported by a corporation will receive support of 80% of the approved budget
• A research institution supported by a corporation will receive support of 90% of the approved budget.
• Grants are royalty-free, regardless of the corporate’s participation.
• Projects approved may also receive a grant for a business-technological expert to advise the research team, subject to approval by the Technological Infrastructure Committee.

Supporting Corporations:

• The supporting corporation serves as a partner in providing professional guidance and assistance in determining the research objectives and participates in financing at a rate of 10% of the cost of the project.
• At the end of the research, the supporting corporation receives the first right to negotiate the commercialization agreement with the research institution.
• Technology Readiness Level – 5 (TRL5) validation may be conducted in the corporation’s labs, provided they meet the definition of a service laboratory.
• The Innovation Authority may propose alternatives for integrating a supporting corporation into approved projects that initially lacked one.

Research institutions:

• Financial support: funding support for research processes increases the likelihood of performing successful applied research (TRL2-5)
• Corporate support: Professional support for research processes that significantly increase future commercialization opportunities
• All rights to knowledge gained in the research are retained by the applicant institution
• Projects approved for business-technological expert support will receive assistance in aligning the R&D plan with industry needs and in establishing connections with relevant industrial stakeholders

Supporting corporations:

• The ability to influence, direct and support groundbreaking academic research that will contribute to the future activity of the corporation
• Initial right to negotiate the commercialization of the research results with the research institution
• Application development in return for low financial investment
• TRL5 validation in a relevant environment increases certainty towards commercialization

• The research institution shall have sole ownership and property rights of the knowledge created by the basic research and its commercialization, without any additional factor having the right to possess this knowledge
• The research should be innovative and preliminary in terms of industrial application, its results should be applicable in Israeli industry and have high added value to the entire economy
• The research institution will report regularly (every six months) on the progress of the project to the Innovation Authority’s accounting department
• Research support will be provided for a duration of up to 3 years.  The R&D plan must include proponed plan to reach TRL5. Submissions may include TRL3-5, TRL4-5, or TRL5 only. TRL2-5 submissions are accepted only via a dedicated call.
• The Company must act in accordance with the reporting, registration, royalty payment, and preservation of intellectual property requirements. Full details on these requirements are available on the Innovation Authority’s Hebrew website

Technological Criteria:

• High technological innovation based on basic preliminary research conducted by the applicant institution.
• The program’s RTL level must fall within TRL2-5, as defined in the call for proposals
• The foundational research on which the application is based

TTO’s Capabilities:

• Abililty to successfully complete the proposed activities, including technological and managerial capabilities.
• Ability to reach commercialization milestones within a reasonable timeframe

Business Potential:

• Commercial potential of the technology, market size and growth rate, competitive advantage (including IP aspects)

Challenge Relevance:

• Degree to which the program addresses a published industrial challenge, if applicable.

• Applications must be submitted online (on the Hebrew website) by the TTO of the research institution
• Corporations interested in collaborating with research groups should contact the TTOs directly.
• Applications must be submitted by 12:00 noon (IST) on the specified deadline
• Technical support is available until 12:00 noon (IST) on the submission day
• Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted
• Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposal early to ensure proper processing.

Rolling Submission Deadlines

• Submission deadlines for companies applying under the rolling submission format for projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3–5.
• Companies submitting applications between May 18, 2025, after 12:01 PM and June 29, 2025, by 12:00 PM will receive the committee’s decision by September 2025.
• Companies submitting applications between June 29, 2025, after 12:00 PM and July 29, 2025, by 12:00 PM will receive the committee’s decision by November 2025.
• Companies submitting applications between July 29, 2025, after 12:00 PM and August 12, 2025, by 12:00 PM will receive the committee’s decision by November 2025.
• Companies submitting applications between August 12, 2025, after 12:00 PM and August 27, 2025, by 12:00 PM will receive the committee’s decision by November 2025.
• Companies submitting applications between August 27, 2025, after 12:00 PM and September 10, 2025, by 12:00 PM will receive the committee’s decision by December 2025.

For further information please contact the:

Technological Infrastructure Division: [email protected]