Funder: United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation
Due Dates: November 15, 2025 (Online Submission) | July 31, 2026 (Notification)
Funding Amounts: Up to $250,000 total over four years (including 15% overhead); maximum for experimental projects with equal US/Israel split; theoretical projects typically lower.
Summary: Supports collaborative basic science research between US and Israeli scientists, emphasizing active partnership and joint publications.
Key Information: Eligible research areas alternate each year; 2025 is for biomedical engineering, health sciences, life sciences, and psychobiology.
Description
The United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) Research Grants program funds collaborative basic science projects between US and Israeli researchers. The program is designed to foster synergy and active cooperation, with a strong emphasis on joint planning, execution, and publication. Applications must be submitted jointly by at least one principal investigator (PI) from each country, and the collaboration should be evident throughout the proposal and research plan. No prior collaboration is required, and new research teams are encouraged.
The program operates on a biennial cycle for research areas: in odd years (e.g., 2025), eligible fields include biomedical engineering, health sciences, life sciences, and psychobiology. The BSF is committed to scientific excellence and expects that successful projects will result in joint publications.
Due Dates
- Online Submission Deadline: November 15, 2025
- Notification of Results: July 31, 2026
Note: Each research area is eligible for submission only every other year. Ensure your field is eligible in the current cycle.
Funding Amount
- Maximum Award: $250,000 (including 15% overhead) for up to four years.
- Maximum is typically awarded to experimental projects with equal funding split between US and Israeli PIs.
- Theoretical projects or those with only one PI requesting funds are usually awarded less (often ~$100,000).
- Start-Up Grants: Fixed at $75,000 for two years per eligible junior PI.
- No PI salary (including summer salary) is allowed. Funding covers research expenses, personnel (excluding PIs), equipment (up to 20% of total budget), travel, and other direct costs.
Eligibility
- Applicants: Must be faculty (or equivalent) at non-profit institutions (universities, government research institutions, hospitals) in the US or Israel.
- Degree: PIs must hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent.
- Collaboration: At least one PI from each country; 2–6 PIs per application.
- One application per PI per year (and only one active BSF Research Grant at a time).
- For-profit organizations cannot apply, but affiliated scientists may participate if their organization funds their portion.
- US government scientists must consult BSF before applying.
- Start-Up Grants: For junior PIs within 10 years of PhD/MD; see guidelines.
Application Process
- Submission: Online via the BSF submission portal.
- Required Documents:
- Cover page (with research area, keywords, project duration)
- Abstract (≤250 words)
- Research plan (≤15 pages, 12pt font, 1.5–2 line spacing, ≥2cm margins)
- Broader impacts statement (≤250 words)
- Budget and justification
- CVs and publication lists (≤5 pages per PI)
- Letters of collaboration (signed, on institutional letterhead)
- List of potential reviewers
- Progress report (if continuation)
- Resubmission letter (if applicable)
- Lay abstract
- Checklist for final submission
- Institutional Approvals: All PIs and their research authorities must approve the application online before the deadline.
- No hard copies required.
- Strict formatting requirements: Non-compliance may result in rejection.
Eligibility of Research Areas
-
2025 Eligible Areas (Group I):
- Biomedical Engineering
- Health Sciences (Medicine)
- Life Sciences
- Psychobiology
-
2026 Eligible Areas (Group II):
- Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Earth/Ocean/Atmospheric Sciences, Economics, Energy, Environmental Research, Materials, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology & Anthropology, Psychology (excluding Psychobiology)
See the full list of areas and subfields for details.
Evaluation Criteria
- Scientific and technological merit (originality, importance, novelty)
- Strength and quality of the US-Israel collaboration (joint planning, complementary expertise, shared resources, exchange of personnel)
- Anticipated scientific, social, or economic benefits
- Suitability and qualifications of the investigators and facilities
- Track record of collaboration (especially joint publications from previous BSF grants, if applicable)
Applications are reviewed by US-Israeli scientific panels, with 3–5 external reviews per application. The process is competitive, with about 100 awards from ~400 applications annually.
Additional Information
- No PI salary allowed from BSF funds.
- Overhead is capped at 15%.
- Permanent equipment requests are capped at 20% of the total budget.
- Travel funds are encouraged for exchange visits and joint meetings.
- Start-up grants have special eligibility and budget rules.
- Resubmissions are allowed once (with exceptions for highly ranked but unfunded proposals).
- Applications not adhering to guidelines will be rejected.
- No appeal mechanism for funding decisions.
External Links
Contact Information
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|
| General Inquiries | bsf@bsf.org.il |
| Phone | +972 2 5828239 |
| Contact Form | BSF Contact Page |
| Address | RAD Tower, 16 Hartum Street, Har Hotzvim, P.O. Box 45086, Jerusalem 9777516, Israel |