About BIRD

Message from the Executive Director

February 2025

Esteemed BIRD Community,

As we enter 2025, I am filled with optimism and gratitude for the unwavering support and commitment of our partners, grantees, and stakeholders. This past year has been a testament to resilience, innovation, and the enduring collaboration between the United States and Israel.

While 2024 brought its share of challenges, it also showcased remarkable achievements. From addressing global crises to advancing critical technologies, the BIRD Foundation has remained steadfast in its mission to foster U.S.-Israel partnerships that tackle challenges and lay the foundation for a brighter and sustainable future.

Over the past year, BIRD approved funding of over $12.5 million for 12 projects in the general program covering a broad variety of sectors. These included advancements in medical diagnostics, medical devices, advanced electronics, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. The BIRD Energy program supported five projects with funding totaling $7.5 million, underlining the growing importance of addressing energy and sustainability challenges globally.

In addition, the U.S.-Israel Energy Center continued to drive impactful collaborations between academia and corporate entities. This initiative focuses on pivotal areas, including solid-state energy storage, energy-water nexus technologies, cybersecurity for energy infrastructure, and technologies to reduce carbon emissions while improving environmental safety in offshore fossil energy production. These efforts exemplify how binational collaboration can lead to meaningful global solutions.

Looking ahead, BIRD will continue to lead in driving innovation and supporting evolving trends in the U.S. and Israeli ecosystems. Our priorities for 2025 focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, enhancing health-tech solutions (including public and mental health), and addressing critical global issues such as cyber protection, homeland security, climate, and energy-related challenges. Another critical focus will be driving technology transfer from academia to industry, ensuring that cutting-edge research translates into impactful real-world applications.

What makes these achievements truly inspiring is the human element. The partnerships forged through BIRD not only result in technological breakthroughs but also build lasting relationships that strengthen the fabric of U.S.-Israel cooperation. These collaborations remind us of the profound impact we can have when we come together with shared purpose and determination.

As we embark on this new year, I extend my deepest thanks to all who make our work possible. Your commitment, dedication, and ingenuity are the driving forces behind our success. I also want to acknowledge the exceptional BIRD Foundation team in the U.S. and Israel for their unwavering commitment and excellence. Together, we will continue to transform challenges into opportunities and bold ideas into reality.

Here’s to a year of innovation, partnerships, and transformative impact.

Jaron Lotan
Executive Director