Grants & Funding
23 active funding opportunities for energy researchers
IIA Deep Tech Venture Incubators — Energy Track
Israel Innovation Authority
IIA is establishing new Deep-Tech Venture Incubators with a dedicated energy and infrastructure track (backed by Doral Energy-Tech Ventures and Bazan Group). Each selected incubator receives up to NIS 40M (~$11M) in government funding plus required private co-investment. Target startups in energy storage, smart grid, EV charging infrastructure, and clean industrial tech. Application deadline May 24, 2026.
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 (Israel-hosted)
European Commission / Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions
International researchers can apply to join Israeli institutions (Technion, Weizmann, TAU, BGU, HUJI, Bar-Ilan) as MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows. Fellowship covers 1-2 years with ~6,000 EUR/month stipend plus mobility allowance. Israel is a Horizon Europe associated country, making Israeli institutions eligible hosts. Deadline September 9, 2026.
US-Israel Energy Center Consortium Call (2nd Round)
BIRD Foundation / US DOE / Israel Ministry of Energy
Large-scale binational R&D consortia grant: $6M per selected consortium, with required cost-sharing bringing total budget to at least $12M over three years. Each consortium must include at least one industrial corporation and one academic institution from both the US and Israel. Focus areas: energy storage, fossil energy transition, and energy-water nexus. Executive summaries due June 30, 2026; full proposals September 15, 2026.
BIRD Energy Open Call 2026
BIRD Foundation (US DOE + Israel Ministry of Energy + IIA)
Joint US-Israel R&D grant covering up to 50% of project budget (max $1.5M total). Priority areas: grid optimization, AI-based energy solutions, advanced manufacturing, water-energy nexus, cybersecurity for energy infrastructure, critical minerals, and economically viable energy production. Executive summaries due July 8, 2026; full proposals due October 6, 2026; decisions December 2026.
ISF Individual Research Grants — Annual Cycle
Israel Science Foundation
Israel's primary competitive academic research grant, administered by the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities with an annual budget of ~NIS 755M. Open to all scientific disciplines including energy physics, electrochemistry, materials science, and engineering. Applications submitted each November; grants begin the following October. Multi-year support (typically 4 years).
BSF Climate Solutions Track 2026
US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF)
Funds joint US-Israeli academic research collaborations focused on climate and energy. The Climate Solutions track offers up to $600K over 3-4 years for projects at the intersection of energy, climate, and sustainability. Main BSF call deadline December 3, 2026. Open to faculty at Israeli universities partnering with US counterparts.
ISF Energy Research Grant
Israel Science Foundation
Funds excellent academic research in energy science, including solar cells, electrochemistry, materials for energy, and theoretical energy research.
BIRD Energy Program (US-Israel)
BIRD Foundation
Joint funding for US-Israeli industrial R&D partnerships in clean energy, each project receiving up to $1M total between both partners.
Israeli Ministry of Energy Research Fund
Israel Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources
Annual calls for applied energy research supporting Israeli academic institutions and companies developing solutions aligned with national energy strategy.
Israel-EU Horizon Europe Energy Partnerships
European Commission / Israel Innovation Authority
Israel is an associated member of Horizon Europe. Israeli researchers can lead or participate in Horizon Europe energy clusters, with IIA co-funding Israeli partners.
IIA Clean Energy R&D Fund
Israel Innovation Authority
Supports Israeli companies and research institutes developing breakthrough clean energy technologies, including renewable energy, smart grids, and energy storage.
ISF Energy Research Grant
Israel Science Foundation
Funds excellent academic research in energy science, including solar cells, electrochemistry, materials for energy, and theoretical energy research.
BIRD Energy Program (US-Israel)
BIRD Foundation
Joint funding for US-Israeli industrial R&D partnerships in clean energy, each project receiving up to $1M total between both partners.
Israeli Ministry of Energy Research Fund
Israel Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources
Annual calls for applied energy research supporting Israeli academic institutions and companies developing solutions aligned with national energy strategy.
Israel-EU Horizon Europe Energy Partnerships
European Commission / Israel Innovation Authority
Israel is an associated member of Horizon Europe. Israeli researchers can lead or participate in Horizon Europe energy clusters, with IIA co-funding Israeli partners.
IIA R&D Fund — Commercial Energy Technology
Israel Innovation Authority
Israel's primary R&D incentive for companies developing new energy products or upgrading existing technology. Covers 20-50% of approved R&D budget with no upper limit for qualifying projects. Open year-round on a rolling basis. Energy companies in solar, storage, grid tech, hydrogen, and EV are all eligible. Grants are conditional — repaid as royalties once revenue is generated.
Horizon Europe – Clean Energy Transition
European Commission
Supports research and innovation on clean energy technologies under the Horizon Europe framework programme clusters.
Horizon Europe Cluster 5 — Energy (Israel Associated)
European Commission / Israel Innovation Authority (ISERD)
Israel is a fully associated country in Horizon Europe. Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy and Mobility) covers topics from sustainable energy supply, efficient buildings, renewable systems, and grid optimization to clean hydrogen and carbon capture. Israeli organizations participate as full partners. Next major call wave expected mid-2026. IIA's ISERD office provides Israeli researchers with proposal support and co-funding.
MIT Energy Initiative Seed Fund
MIT Energy Initiative
Seed grants for MIT faculty and researchers working on early-stage energy research with potential for transformative impact.
Royal Society Research Grants – Energy
The Royal Society
Provides funding for early-career researchers to pursue high-quality energy research, including equipment purchase and research expenses.
IEA Clean Energy Transitions Programme
International Energy Agency
Supports developing and emerging economies in accelerating clean energy transitions through capacity building and research partnerships.
NSF Energy for Sustainability Program
National Science Foundation
Supports fundamental engineering research that enables sustainable production of electricity and fuels, and energy efficiency improvements.
IIA Clean Energy R&D Fund
Israel Innovation Authority
Supports Israeli companies and research institutes developing breakthrough clean energy technologies, including renewable energy, smart grids, and energy storage.