Bar-Ilan Secures 75 Million NIS in National Science Foundation Grants

Bar-Ilan University celebrates the 63 researchers who have been awarded highly competitive grants from Israel’s National Science Foundation (ISF), totaling in 75 million NIS. From artificial intelligence to archaeology, the awards span nearly every faculty, and reflect the growing recognition of Bar-Ilan’s leadership in groundbreaking science.

The ISF is Israel’s premier research funding body, supporting excellence across the full scientific spectrum. These grants will fuel innovation at Bar-Ilan, support critical equipment purchases, and deepen the university’s impact in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to quantum physics, neurotechnology, and the humanities.

Lifting the Next Generation of Scientists

Among the many reasons to celebrate: Bar-Ilan's strong showing in early-career funding. Through the prestigious Bereshit track, four newly recruited faculty members secured a total of 10.6 million NIS—a powerful investment in the scientists of tomorrow. An additional 7.8 million NIS in equipment grants went to new and mid-career researchers, reinforcing Bar-Ilan’s commitment to a diverse and thriving research community.

Spotlight on Trailblazing Projects

This year’s grant recipients include some of the most visionary minds in Israeli academia:

• Prof. Gal Chechik (Computer Science & Gonda Brain Research Center), also Director of AI Research at NVIDIA, received 1.35 million NIS for his personal research and 850,000 NIS for lab equipment.

• Prof. Orit Shefi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and a global leader in neuro-engineering, was awarded 1.35 million NIS for her research and 880,000 NIS in equipment funding.

• Prof. Nira Alperson-Afil (Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology) received 1.2 million NIS for her project on early human activity in the Negev.

• Dr. Hanan Herzeg-Shinfox, a rising star in Physics, was granted 1.5 million NIS for research and 1.1 million NIS for new equipment.

• Prof. Eli Barkai and Prof. David Kessler, both from the Department of Physics, secured a joint 1.04 million NIS grant for advanced quantum physics research—a field at the frontier of global scientific interest and strategic national importance.

In fact, at least five of Bar-Ilan’s funded projects focus directly on quantum physics, with three more including quantum components—a testament to the university’s growing presence in this critical arena.

Powering Israel’s Future Through Science

This unprecedented funding round is more than a celebration of past success—it’s a launchpad for what comes next. With powerful backing from the ISF, Bar-Ilan researchers are now positioned to push boundaries, generate impact, and help shape Israel’s scientific future.

To our brilliant scientists: thank you for your vision, your dedication, and your relentless curiosity. Your success is our pride—and the world’s next big discovery may already be in motion.