BIRD Foundation Approves $7.4 Million for Seven U.S.-Israel R&D Projects

Insider BriefPRESS RELEASE — In September 2026, the Board of Governors of the Israel-U.S.

Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation approved $7.4 million in conditional grants for seven joint R&D projects between U.S. and Israeli companies. Including private-sector investment, total investment in the projects is expected to reach $20 million.The BIRD Foundation supports strategic collaborations between U.S. and Israeli companies to jointly develop innovative products and technologies for global markets. In addition to providing conditional grants of up to $1.5 million per project, the Foundation helps companies identify suitable partners and build cross-border collaborations.Projects submitted to BIRD are evaluated by BIRD staff and by expert reviewers appointed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and by the Israel Innovation Authority.The seven newly approved projects bring the total number of BIRD-supported collaborations to more than 1,200 since the Foundation’s establishment in 1977. To date, BIRD has invested approximately $470 million in joint projects, helping generate more than $10 billion in direct and indirect revenue.The newly approved projects are:Dr. Alon Stopel, Chairman of the Innovation Authority and Chief Scientist of Innovation at the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, and co-chair of BIRD‘s Board of Governors, said: “As the BIRD Foundation approaches its 50th anniversary, the technological partnership between Israel and the United States continues to demonstrate its strength as a driving force for breakthrough innovation. The projects selected this year are at the forefront of technologies that will shape humanity’s future: from quantum computing, space technologies, and semiconductors, which lay the foundation for the next technological revolutions, to AI-driven healthcare, cancer diagnostics, and precision agriculture, which can improve human health, food security, and quality of life. These are complex deep-tech fields with the potential to transform our world. For nearly five decades, the BIRD Foundation has enabled companies from both countries to combine expertise, share risks, and turn technological visions into tangible solutions to humanity’s greatest challenges.”Mr. Mike Molnar, Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and co-chair of BIRD‘s Board of Governors, said: “The Board faced a ‘high-quality problem’ in reviewing such an outstanding collection of proposals this cycle. The selected projects have outlined high-impact research and development plans for advancements in quantum algorithms, semiconductor design, satellite communications, and other critical and emerging technology areas. The BIRD Foundation is continuing its long-held tradition of promoting innovation through complementary partnerships. Beyond the provision of matching project funds, the Foundation’s daily work of facilitating cooperation between partners helps companies take nascent technologies to market. I join my colleagues in congratulating the selected companies and wishing them great success.”Mr. Jaron Lotan, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation, said: “In today’s global technology race, binational partnerships are a powerful driver of innovation and growth, and the partnership between Israel and the United States is among the most established and successful in the world. The BIRD Foundation is a unique platform for government-supported cooperation between the two countries, built on an equal partnership in which each side brings complementary capabilities, knowledge, and experience. Our role is to turn this collaboration into innovative technologies, commercial products, and jobs, while strengthening the competitiveness of both economies. We are pleased to announce the approval of seven new projects, each with significant potential to advance innovation and transform its respective market.”The deadline for submitting Executive Summaries for the next BIRD funding cycle is November 23, 2026. Project approvals are expected in March 2027.TopicsShare Get the latest research, company news, and market intelligence every week. MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLEThe BIRD Foundation is an organization that provides funding for approved projects that promote cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies in technology sectors. They do not take equity or intellectual property rights, instead receiving repayment through royalties from product sales. They share the risk with companies and offer funding up to 50% of the project's budget.Qarakal Quantum is a full stack quantum computing company that develops state-of-the-art quantum computing systems. Their expertise covers both hardware and software, with a particular focus on systems implemented with superconducting qubits.Quantum Elements pioneers quantum systems simulation, enabling increased performance for quantum hardware across platforms with tools and solutions.More in Research