2013-2014 Activities:
I-SAEF Update - Autumn 2014
Dear Supporter of I-SAEF,
When I-SAEF was launched in 2008, opportunities in early-stage game-changing alternative energy research were not being pursued to any great extent by either the Israeli government or academia. Private sources were reluctant to fund risky scientific projects. There was a major gap in research funding known as a “Valley of Death” standing between bright ideas and their proof of concept. The philanthropic community was not aware of this pivotal need for funding either.
Fast-forward six years to 2014.
I-SAEF has funded 24 potentially game-changing early-stage research projects in Israel at approximately $200,000 per project. I-SAEF has created and used a powerful, merit-based peer review process in its grant-making. More than 90 volunteer scientists from 15 countries, including three Nobel Laureates, have been active in selecting the best projects for I-SAEF to fund. In 2013 there are multiple Israeli groups funded to work in early-stage alternative energy research. In a few short years this area of research in Israel has been elevated in the minds of both academia and the government.
Recently, the Israeli government launched a major new Alternative Fuels Initiative, administered by the Prime Minister's Office, much of which is focused on early-stage research. As reported by the Journal of Energy Security (http://www.ensec.org):“Two dedicated inter-university research centers with new laboratories and research teams were inaugurated in early 2012. One center focuses on biofuel and synthetic fuel research, and the other on batteries, fuel cells, and energy storage. The centers were granted NIS 60 million and NIS 45 million, respectively. A third research center was founded at the Agricultural Research Organization (Volcani Center) with a focus on non-food energy crops. Additionally, a new research fund was established to award grants of up to US $450,000 to research groups in the field of alternative fuels.”
Since 2008, I-SAEF has been working on funding early-stage alternative energy research projects and engaging with the Israeli government. As a result, today Israeli scientists and government officials have reported that I-SAEF has been a major catalyst for alternative energy research in Israel.
In consultation with I-SAEF’s Advisory Board, I-SAEF’s Board of Directors has decided that in the 2013-2014 fiscal year, I-SAEF will focus on monitoring the projects it has already funded, as well as assisting the Israeli government with its recently announced initiative. Consequently, there will be no new funding competition started by I-SAEF in 2013. I-SAEF will revisit this strategy in mid-2014. Of course all currently funded projects will continue under original guidelines. These grants remain fully funded by I-SAEF, and all terms of their respective Research Grant Agreements remain in force.
On behalf of all the Israeli scientists awarded I-SAEF grants, we thank you for being one of I-SAEF’s major supporters and partners. You have made this remarkable progress possible. Together, we are proud to contribute to the creation of a new industry in Israel, enabling the development of game-changing alternative energy technologies and bridging the “Valley of Death” funding gap. I-SAEF’s work is truly making Israel stronger and our planet cleaner and safer for all.
We refer you to I-SAEF's 2015 Annual Update for more information on I-SAEF’s future direction.
With thanks,
Galina and Lev Leytes
I-SAEF Co-Founders
When I-SAEF was launched in 2008, opportunities in early-stage game-changing alternative energy research were not being pursued to any great extent by either the Israeli government or academia. Private sources were reluctant to fund risky scientific projects. There was a major gap in research funding known as a “Valley of Death” standing between bright ideas and their proof of concept. The philanthropic community was not aware of this pivotal need for funding either.
Fast-forward six years to 2014.
I-SAEF has funded 24 potentially game-changing early-stage research projects in Israel at approximately $200,000 per project. I-SAEF has created and used a powerful, merit-based peer review process in its grant-making. More than 90 volunteer scientists from 15 countries, including three Nobel Laureates, have been active in selecting the best projects for I-SAEF to fund. In 2013 there are multiple Israeli groups funded to work in early-stage alternative energy research. In a few short years this area of research in Israel has been elevated in the minds of both academia and the government.
Recently, the Israeli government launched a major new Alternative Fuels Initiative, administered by the Prime Minister's Office, much of which is focused on early-stage research. As reported by the Journal of Energy Security (http://www.ensec.org):“Two dedicated inter-university research centers with new laboratories and research teams were inaugurated in early 2012. One center focuses on biofuel and synthetic fuel research, and the other on batteries, fuel cells, and energy storage. The centers were granted NIS 60 million and NIS 45 million, respectively. A third research center was founded at the Agricultural Research Organization (Volcani Center) with a focus on non-food energy crops. Additionally, a new research fund was established to award grants of up to US $450,000 to research groups in the field of alternative fuels.”
Since 2008, I-SAEF has been working on funding early-stage alternative energy research projects and engaging with the Israeli government. As a result, today Israeli scientists and government officials have reported that I-SAEF has been a major catalyst for alternative energy research in Israel.
In consultation with I-SAEF’s Advisory Board, I-SAEF’s Board of Directors has decided that in the 2013-2014 fiscal year, I-SAEF will focus on monitoring the projects it has already funded, as well as assisting the Israeli government with its recently announced initiative. Consequently, there will be no new funding competition started by I-SAEF in 2013. I-SAEF will revisit this strategy in mid-2014. Of course all currently funded projects will continue under original guidelines. These grants remain fully funded by I-SAEF, and all terms of their respective Research Grant Agreements remain in force.
On behalf of all the Israeli scientists awarded I-SAEF grants, we thank you for being one of I-SAEF’s major supporters and partners. You have made this remarkable progress possible. Together, we are proud to contribute to the creation of a new industry in Israel, enabling the development of game-changing alternative energy technologies and bridging the “Valley of Death” funding gap. I-SAEF’s work is truly making Israel stronger and our planet cleaner and safer for all.
We refer you to I-SAEF's 2015 Annual Update for more information on I-SAEF’s future direction.
With thanks,
Galina and Lev Leytes
I-SAEF Co-Founders
Application Cycle 2014-15
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We welcome any comments or suggestions that will help us improve our process in future years. Please do not hesitate to submit your comments here:
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Participating Universities
Bar-Ilan University
Ben Gurion University Haifa University |
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Please direct all questions to info@i-saef.org and we would happy to assist you.