UC Berkeley Joins California-Israel Research Program
The initiative expands seed grant funding for collaborative research projects between campus faculty and Israeli partners.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Biotech
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In summer 2026, UC Berkeley partnered with the California-Israel Collaborations in Research organization to expand its seed grant program. The initiative aims to foster academic exchange and research in natural sciences across California campuses.
Why it matters
This partnership aims to promote academic research and exchange programs that support mutual understanding through faculty collaborations. It extends a program that originally launched at UC Davis in 2017.
The program supports collaborative research through seed grant funding and an application review process. It builds on previous work at UC Davis involving semiconductors, cancer treatment, and sustainable barley breeding.
The players
UC Berkeley
This public research university serves as the primary institutional partner for the expansion of the California-Israel research program.
Koum Family Foundation
This foundation, which holds more than $3 billion in net assets, provides the financial backing for the research seed grants.
Koret Foundation
This organization acts as a major donor supporting the expansion of academic exchange and research initiatives.
The details
The program is supported by the Koum Family Foundation, which holds over $3 billion in net assets, and the Koret Foundation. These foundations have also provided significant funding to various Israel-affiliated organizations in 2024.
Timeline
The California-Israel research program began at UC Davis in 2017.
The Koret Foundation donated $1 million to the Shalem Foundation in 2023.
Foundations made several donations to Israel-affiliated organizations throughout 2024.
UC Berkeley partnered with California-Israel Collaborations in Research in summer 2026.
The program expects to award research and mobility projects by the end of 2026.
The Tech Race
This partnership mirrors the established framework of the California-Israel Collaborations in Research program. It reflects a broader strategy to scale specialized academic exchange models across multiple public university campuses.
Researchers and faculty members gain access to new grant funding streams and international collaborative opportunities. The program may also influence local research output in sectors like semiconductors and cancer treatment.
The takeaway
The expansion of this research program highlights the growing role of private foundation funding in shaping public university research priorities. Future applicants should monitor the formal selection process and award cycle timelines.
What happens next
The program expects to award 4-5 research projects and 1-2 mobility awards by the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more on local research initiatives, visit the Biotech section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Cal | Berkeley news.
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