We are discovering new opportunities even after the project, so I think this [BIRD] is also a very good networking tool. A true enabler which I would promote strongly anywhere I go and that’s what I do.
To stimulate, promote and support industrial R&D of mutual benefit to Israel and the U.S.
BIRD is an acronym for Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development.
The BIRD Foundation’s mission is to stimulate, promote and support industrial R&D of mutual benefit to the U.S. and Israel.
The BIRD Foundation was established by the U.S. and Israeli governments in 1977 to generate mutually beneficial cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies, including start-ups and established organizations. BIRD provides both matchmaking support between U.S. and Israeli companies, as well as funding covering up to 50 percent of project development costs, up to $1.5M per project. BIRD takes no equity in the companies.
BIRD’s scope extends to Advanced Manufacturing, Agrotechnology, Cleantech, Energy and Environment, Communications, Construction Tech, Cyber Security, Electronics, FinTech, FoodTech, Healthcare IT, Homeland Security, Life Sciences, Nanotechnology, Semiconductors, Software, Water and and other areas of innovative technology with commercial potential.
Since its inception in 1977, BIRD has approved investments in close to 1200 projects, which
have yielded direct and indirect revenues of more than $10 billion. BIRD’s Board of Governors approves projects twice a year. Projects are evaluated by expert reviewers appointed by the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce.
How does the BIRD Foundation Operate?
Any pair of companies, one Israeli and one U.S.-based, may apply jointly so long as they can demonstrate the combined capabilities and infrastructure to define, develop, manufacture, sell and support an innovative product based on industrial R&D.
The key criterion is that each corporate entity shall have the ability to carry out its part of the joint development and commercialization. Their willingness to share in the financial risk of product development as well as in the financial gain of commercialization, are also key factors in BIRD’s evaluation.
The BIRD Foundation offers conditional grants for joint development projects on a risk- sharing basis. The Foundation funds up to 50% of each company’s R&D expenses associated with the joint project, up to $1.5M per project. Repayments are due only upon
commercial success.
BIRD Vertical Programs
The Foundation also manages BIRD Energy, a program which promotes and supports U.S.-
Israel joint development projects relating to clean energy technologies. Click here for further information about the Program.
Another binational program managed by the Foundation is “BIRD Homeland Security
(HLS).” BIRD HLS is a joint U.S.-Israel program that aims to foster and support the development of advanced technologies for the homeland security mission.
Click here for further information about the Program
In 2018, the BIRD Foundation was selected to manage the U.S.-Israel Energy Center .The
goal of the Energy Center is to promote energy security and economic development through the research and development of innovative energy technologies, currently covering four topics: Energy Storage, Energy Cyber, Energy-Water Nexus and Fossil Energy.
BIRD Cyber is the most recent program to be added to those managed by BIRD to promote collaborations focused on the development of cybersecurity and related emerging technologies aimed at enhancing cyber resilience by harnessing the innovation and ingenuity of the Israeli and American technology sectors. Click here for further information about the Program.
BIRD is an acronym for Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development.
The BIRD Foundation’s mission is to stimulate, promote and support industrial R&D of mutual benefit to the U.S. and Israel.
The BIRD Foundation was established by the U.S. and Israeli governments in 1977 to generate mutually beneficial cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies, including start-ups and established organizations. BIRD provides both matchmaking support between U.S. and Israeli companies, as well as funding covering up to 50 percent of project development costs, up to $1.5M per project. BIRD takes no equity in the companies.
BIRD’s scope extends to Advanced Manufacturing, Agrotechnology, Cleantech, Energy and Environment, Communications, Construction Tech, Cyber Security, Electronics, FinTech, FoodTech, Healthcare IT, Homeland Security, Life Sciences, Nanotechnology, Semiconductors, Software, Water and and other areas of innovative technology with commercial potential.
Since its inception in 1977, BIRD has approved investments in close to 1200 projects, which have yielded direct and indirect revenues of more than $10 billion. BIRD’s Board of Governors approves projects twice a year. Projects are evaluated by expert reviewers appointed by the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), U.S. Department of Commerce.
How does the BIRD Foundation Operate?
Any pair of companies, one Israeli and one U.S.-based, may apply jointly so long as they can demonstrate the combined capabilities and infrastructure to define, develop, manufacture, sell and support an innovative product based on industrial R&D.
The key criterion is that each corporate entity shall have the ability to carry out its part of the joint development and commercialization. Their willingness to share in the financial risk of product development as well as in the financial gain of commercialization, are also key factors in BIRD’s evaluation.
The BIRD Foundation offers conditional grants for joint development projects on a risk- sharing basis. The Foundation funds up to 50% of each company’s R&D expenses associated with the joint project, up to $1.5M per project. Repayments are due only upon commercial success.
BIRD Vertical Programs
The Foundation also manages BIRD Energy, a program which promotes and supports U.S.-
Israel joint development projects relating to clean energy technologies. Click here for further information about the Program.
Another binational program managed by the Foundation is “BIRD Homeland Security
(HLS).” BIRD HLS is a joint U.S.-Israel program that aims to foster and support the development of advanced technologies for the homeland security mission.
Click here for further information about the Program.
In 2018, the BIRD Foundation was selected to manage the U.S.-Israel Energy Center.
The goal of the Energy Center is to promote energy security and economic development through the research and development of innovative energy technologies, currently covering four topics: Energy Storage, Energy Cyber, Energy-Water Nexus and Fossil Energy.
BIRD Cyber is the most recent program to be added to those managed by BIRD to promote collaborations focused on the development of cybersecurity and related emerging technologies aimed at enhancing cyber resilience by harnessing the innovation and ingenuity of the Israeli and American technology sectors. Click here for further information about the Program.
An Impact Study was performed on the BIRD Foundation and its conclusions were presented in 2020. This publication provides a summary of the analysis, conclusions and recommendations that were included in the final study and highlights the accomplishments achieved by the BIRD Foundation along with the significant impact BIRD has had on the present ecosystem, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. Click here to view the Impact Study.
As we begin 2026, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the remarkable community that surrounds the BIRD Foundation -our grantees, partners, and the many organizations that collaborate with us across industries, academia, and government. Each of you plays a vital role in strengthening the U.S.–Israel partnership through innovation.
The past year was exceptionally productive for BIRD. It was also a year marked by continued geopolitical uncertainty and regional challenges that affected many of our partners and communities. These circumstances served as a powerful reminder of the importance of our mission. In times of instability, binational cooperation becomes not only valuable but essential -and we saw clearly how our role in fostering trust, partnership, and shared scientific and technological progress became even more meaningful.
Beyond the many partnerships we helped initiate -including many that continue to flourish even without receiving BIRD funding -we also concluded a highly successful cycle of approvals across all our programs. These ongoing relationships exemplify the Foundation’s broader mission: to build enduring bridges between Israeli and American innovators and to foster collaborations that continue to deliver value long after a project is completed.
In the BIRD General Program, we approved 10 new projects this past year -5 projects totaling $6 million in December 2024 and another 5 totaling $5.5 million in September 2025. These projects span diverse domains including medical technologies, advanced manufacturing, climate technologies, cybersecurity, and next-generation computing, reflecting the breadth and depth of innovation emerging from both ecosystems.
The BIRD Cyber program also continued to advance, with 2 new cyber-focused projects approved this year. These initiatives strengthen our ability to support technologies that enhance the protection of critical infrastructure and contribute to national resilience at a time when cyber threats continue to evolve.
Our BIRD Energy program had an especially impactful year, with 5 projects approved in November 2024 totaling $7.5 million, followed by an additional 4 projects in November 2025 totaling $5 million. These projects address pressing needs in energy efficiency, energy storage, grid resilience, and energy reliability and security -all critical areas for both countries as they work to strengthen their energy systems and accelerate the transition to cleaner, more resilient technologies.
In parallel, the U.S.–Israel Energy Center continues to expand its impact. Following the productive collaboration within its existing consortia, the partners have agreed to launch a new Call for Proposals for two additional consortia focused on high-impact energy and water technologies. The continued success of this model underscores how coordinated, multi-party collaboration can accelerate innovation, leverage complementary capabilities, and create long-term value for both nations.
Looking forward, BIRD remains committed to supporting bold ideas, strong partnerships, and transformative real-world impact. Our programs will continue to champion innovation across critical sectors such as health, energy, food and ag-tech, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, while embracing emerging opportunities in artificial intelligence, bioconvergence, and quantum technologies. This balanced approach enables BIRD to support both immediate national needs and long-term strategic priorities.
To our grantees -past, present, and future 1thank you for inspiring us with your creativity and determination. To our partners in government, academia, and industry -thank you for your continued trust and collaboration. And to the dedicated BIRD Foundation team -thank you for your professionalism, commitment, and passion.
Together, we are building the next chapter in the U.S.–Israel innovation story.
With appreciation and optimism,
Jaron Lotan
Executive Director
Â
Mr. Michael Molnar | Co-Chair
Director, Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office,
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
representing the Under Secretary for Standards and Technology
Department of Commerce
Ms. Christin Kjelland
Deputy Director, Office of Science and Technology Cooperation
representing the Assistant Secretary for Oceans and
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
Department of State
Mr. Anthony Marcus
Director, Middle East and North Africa International Affairs
representing the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs
Department of Treasury
Dr. Alon Stopel | Co-Chair
Chairman, Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) & Chief Scientist for Innovation
Ministry of Innovation Science & Technology
Mr. Inon Elroy
Representing the Director General Ministry of Economy and Industry
Mr. Ophir Gore
Representing the Director General Ministry of Finance
Dr. Harry Hertz
Dr. Phillip Singerman
New England Israel Business Council
Ohio-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Colorado-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Philadelphia-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative (RIIC)
Virginia Israel Advisory Board
Virginia Israel Advisory Board
Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative (RIIC)
Philadelphia-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Colorado-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Ohio-Israel Chamber of Commerce
New England Israel Business Council
for joint development of innovative technologies and products
between U.S. and Israeli companies
from successful projects
generated directly and indirectly by BIRD sponsored activities
Established in 2009
Established in 2016
Established in 2019
Established in 2022
We are discovering new opportunities even after the project, so I think this [BIRD] is also a very good networking tool. A true enabler which I would promote strongly anywhere I go and that’s what I do.
I can’t speak highly enough about BIRD. I think our experience has been fabulous and I strongly recommend this audience to explore and consider BIRD as a launch point for additional research funds and activities.
What makes the Foundation so successful is the emphasis on meaningful partnerships between U.S. and Israeli companies that value collaboration.
It all started through the BIRD grant, if we weren’t able to get the BIRD grant, the first one million six seven years ago we wouldn’t exist today.
One of the better fallouts of the whole program is that you do develop good partnerships and good relationships with entities you would never meet other than through BIRD.
We congratulate the awarded companies and encourage other tech companies to submit their projects to benefit from collaborations via the BIRD Foundation and the thriving U.S.-Israeli ecosystem
The BIRD Foundation is perhaps the best example of how we [Israel and the U.S.] come together in innovation, in development and in cooperation”
The collaboration between the U.S. and Israel is essential in the quest to explore new ways of putting neuroscience and neurotechnology at the disposal of humanity, with the objective of making our world a better and healthier place.
We are discovering new opportunities even after the project, so I think this [BIRD] is also a very good networking tool. A true enabler which I would promote strongly anywhere I go and that’s what I do.
I can’t speak highly enough about BIRD. I think our experience has been fabulous and I strongly recommend this audience to explore and consider BIRD as a launch point for additional research funds and activities.
We are discovering new opportunities even after the project, so I think this [BIRD] is also a very good networking tool. A true enabler which I would promote strongly anywhere I go and that’s what I do.
I can’t speak highly enough about BIRD. I think our experience has been fabulous and I strongly recommend this audience to explore and consider BIRD as a launch point for additional research funds and activities.
The collaboration between the U.S. and Israel is essential in the quest to explore new ways of putting neuroscience and neurotechnology at the disposal of humanity, with the objective of making our world a better and healthier place.
The BIRD Foundation is perhaps the best example of how we [Israel and the U.S.] come together in innovation, in development and in cooperation”
What makes the Foundation so successful is the emphasis on meaningful partnerships between U.S. and Israeli companies that value collaboration.
We congratulate the awarded companies and encourage other tech companies to submit their projects to benefit from collaborations via the BIRD Foundation and the thriving U.S.-Israeli ecosystem
One of the better fallouts of the whole program is that you do develop good partnerships and good relationships with entities you would never meet other than through BIRD.
It all started through the BIRD grant, if we weren’t able to get the BIRD grant, the first one million six seven years ago we wouldn’t exist today.
Browse through BIRD projects by year, industry sector and U.S. state.