Tel Aviv / Washington, June 2026 – The BIRD Foundation (Israel–U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation) has approved $7.5 million in grants for seven joint projects between Israeli and American companies. With additional private‑sector investment, the total funding is expected to reach $20 million, underscoring the strength of the long‑running innovation partnership.
The selected projects span diverse fields including smart agriculture, food technology, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, healthcare, mental health, and pharmaceuticals. Notable collaborations include Brevel and Ayana Bio developing plant‑based ingredients through illuminated fermentation, Greeneye and Nutrien Ag Solutions creating an AI‑powered agricultural spraying system, and Ensights AI with Solitude Labs advancing cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure.
In healthcare and biotech, initiatives range from non‑invasive tumor detection technologies (HT Vet and VCA Animal Hospitals) to cfDNA‑based prenatal diagnostics (Identifai Genetics and Inocras), cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (Neurogenesis and OrganaBio), and precision medicine for depression (NeuroKaire and MindfulCare).
Dr. Alon Stopel, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority, highlighted the projects as proof of the depth of bilateral cooperation. Mike Molnar, NIST representative, emphasized that risk‑sharing between the two nations enables breakthrough technologies with global impact. Yaron Lotan, Executive Director of the foundation, added that combining Israeli and American expertise creates “value greater than the sum of its parts.”
Operating for nearly five decades, the BIRD Foundation has supported more than 1,200 collaborations, with cumulative investments exceeding $465 million and generating over $10 billion in revenues. The latest round of funding reinforces its mission to accelerate innovation and strengthen the economic and technological resilience of both countries.
