The BIRD Foundation has approved $7.5 million in funding for seven new collaborative projects between American and Israeli companies across sectors including healthcare, cybersecurity, agriculture, food technology, and mental health.
The newly announced projects are expected to generate a combined investment of approximately $20 million through additional private-sector funding. The initiative supports joint research and development partnerships between companies in the United States and Israel, with grants designed to accelerate commercialization of innovative technologies.
Among the selected projects are collaborations focused on AI-powered agricultural spraying systems, cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure, plant-based bioactive ingredient production, advanced veterinary diagnostics, prenatal genetic testing, cell therapy for multiple sclerosis, and precision treatments for depression.
The programme includes partnerships between companies such as Brevel and Ayana Bio in food technology, as well as Greeneye and Nutrien Ag Solutions in AI-driven agriculture systems. Other collaborations involve companies working in mental health, pharmaceuticals, genomics, and renewable energy security.
The BIRD Foundation said the funding programme is designed to reduce development risks while encouraging cross-border innovation and commercial partnerships. Selected projects receive conditional grants of up to $1.5 million, with repayment tied to future product commercialization rather than equity ownership.
Since its establishment nearly five decades ago, the foundation has supported more than 1,200 joint U.S.-Israel projects. According to the organization, total investments of approximately $465 million have helped generate more than $10 billion in direct and indirect revenues from commercialized technologies.
Officials from both countries highlighted the importance of technological cooperation in addressing global challenges. The initiative is seen as strengthening innovation ecosystems in healthcare, cybersecurity, food technology, and advanced manufacturing while supporting long-term economic growth and industrial collaboration between the two countries.
The next application cycle for BIRD Foundation funding is scheduled for late 2026, with future project approvals expected in 2027.
