U.S. and Israel Fund $20M in AI and Quantum Tech Projects

A decades-old technology partnership between the United States and Israel just greenlit seven ambitious projects that could reshape how we detect cancer, grow food, and communicate through space.

The BIRD Foundation approved $7.4 million in grants for collaborations spanning artificial intelligence, quantum computing, satellite communications, and medical technology. When private companies add their contributions, total investment will reach $20 million.

One standout project pairs SpotitEarly with Fox Chase Cancer Center to build a detection system that combines AI with something unexpected: dogs' ability to smell cancer. Another teams NovaLink Space with Ciena to develop laser communications for satellites that can transmit terabits of data.

Qarakal Quantum and Quantum Elements will tackle quantum computing challenges that could revolutionize how we model chemical reactions. Meanwhile, SeedX and Illinois Foundation Seeds are developing AI tools to improve seed sorting, potentially boosting food security.

The medical innovations are equally promising. Ibex Medical Analytics and Proscia will create an AI platform for precision oncology, while CustoMED and Myrava work on 3D printing custom orthopedic tools right in hospitals. RAAAM Memory Technologies and GlobalFoundries will develop advanced on-chip memory technology.

Each project can receive up to $1.5 million from BIRD, which covers half the research budget without taking equity or intellectual property rights. Companies repay the foundation through royalties only if their products succeed commercially.

The Ripple Effect

This funding cycle adds to an impressive legacy. Since 1977, BIRD has supported more than 1,200 collaborations between American and Israeli organizations. That $470 million investment has generated over $10 billion in revenue while advancing technologies that improve daily life.

The foundation's approach reduces risk for companies exploring breakthrough innovations in complex fields. By matching complementary expertise from both countries, projects gain momentum that individual companies might struggle to achieve alone.

Dr. Alon Stopel, who co-chairs BIRD's Board of Governors, emphasized how these deep-tech fields address humanity's greatest challenges. The projects tackle everything from next-generation semiconductors that power future devices to AI-driven healthcare that saves lives.

Applications for the next funding cycle open soon, with a November 2026 deadline. If this year's selections indicate future trends, expect more collaborations pushing the boundaries of what technology can accomplish for human health, security, and prosperity.