Binational Science Foundation (BSF)
The BSF (United States–Israel Binational Science Foundation) is the primary fund for supporting joint research projects between Israeli and U.S. researchers in the field of basic science. The foundation supports high-quality projects, placing special emphasis on substantial collaboration between researchers from both countries — a collaboration measured, among other factors, by joint publications.
Applications must be submitted jointly by Israeli and U.S. researchers. The number of researchers listed in a proposal is limited to six. Required documents include, among others: an abstract, a detailed description of the research plan, a bibliography, an impact statement, and similar components.
The foundation operates through several funding programs, including the annual regular research grants program, NSF-BSF programs, NEH-BSF Program in the Humanities, Climate Change Research Initiative, BSF Start-Up (Young Investigator) Grants, the Prof. Rahamimoff Travel Grants Program – which supports short-term training of Israeli PhD students in U.S. laboratories, and more.
The budget limit for applications submitted under the general grants program is $250,000 (including 15% indirect costs), and the grant duration — which begins in October — ranges from 2 to 4 years.
In odd-numbered calendar years (e.g., 2025, 2027), BSF funds research in the following areas: biomedical engineering, health sciences, life sciences, and psychobiology.
In even-numbered years (e.g., 2026, 2028), the foundation supports research in: chemistry, computer sciences, earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences, economics, energy research, environmental research (air, water and/or soil), materials research, mathematical sciences, physics, sociology and anthropology, and psychology (excluding psychobiology).
Applications must be submitted via the BSF website, with online approval by the research authority of the initiating PI’s institution.
Recommendations and guidelines for a successful application:
Researchers should submit a well-organized, clearly written, and carefully edited research plan, including relevant graphs and a properly formatted bibliography, in accordance with the submission guidelines on the foundation’s website. The abstract and impact statement should be concise and compelling. The research question must be clearly and sharply defined to emphasize the potential contribution of the proposal to its field.
Funding Programs-
Annual regular research grants program
The Prof. Rahamimoff Travel Grants Program
