On 29 June 2026, the Knesset Science and Technology Committee convened today (Monday, June 29) to discuss the findings of the “Science in Government – Chief Scientists’ Report 2025,” submitted by the Ministry of Innovation and Science together with the Forum of Chief Scientists.
The report outlines how the government science system transformed during a year of war, emergency and uncertainty into a central instrument for strengthening national resilience, scientific-technological security, and evidence-based decision-making.
It presents the broad scope of activities carried out by the Chief Scientist units across government ministries engaged in scientific research and development. The discussion brought together data on Israel’s national scientific and research activities, providing a systematic and reliable repository of information on leading projects across all areas of government activity.
The report demonstrates that even during a year of multi-front war, government science no longer serves merely as a policy-supporting infrastructure, but as a policy-shaping force – from research on evacuees, families of hostages, and former hostages, to studies on mental and social resilience, healthcare, education, food security, energy, climate, transportation, personal security, local government, and tourism.
It also highlights the growing importance of establishing national scientific and technological security, including protecting strategic knowledge assets, strengthening national self-reliance in critical fields, understanding the dual-use nature of civilian and defense technologies, and diversifying Israel’s international scientific partnerships. This comes against the backdrop of increasing attempts to impose academic and scientific boycotts on Israel, alongside intensifying global competition in science, technology, and artificial intelligence.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is emphasized as both a national priority and a key driver for accelerating scientific research, improving government efficiency, and strengthening evidence-based decision-making.
During the committee meeting, data were presented on the National Applied Research Fund, managed by the Office of the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Innovation and Science, headed by Prof. Miri Yemini. This year, the Fund invested approximately NIS 130 million, strategically allocated to promote excellence and applied research in universities, colleges, hospitals, and research institutes.
Alongside addressing the consequences of the war and the required budgetary adjustments, the report reflects a transition toward a technology-driven policy approach, defining the advancement of Generative AI (GenAI) in science as a national objective for accelerating the pace of scientific discovery. As part of this strategy, the Office of the Chief Scientist allocated more than NIS 52 million to fund 105 new research projects in national priority areas, including 47 studies in health and medicine and 22 groundbreaking AI research projects.
In addition, 52 joint research proposals were promoted in cooperation with government ministries and public-sector organizations—including the Ministry of Transport, the National Road Safety Authority, the Ministry of the Interior, and the National Digital Agency—with a total investment of approximately NIS 15.3 million. These initiatives are designed to improve the identification of government needs and support the formulation of science-based public policy.
The report also presents broad cross-government scientific activity:
The Ministry of Energy advanced research in energy storage, renewable energy, and infrastructure; the Ministry of Health continued supporting medical and translational biomedical research and international research networks; the Ministry of Environmental Protection promoted a national climate risk portal and environmental research initiatives; the Ministry of Education focused on artificial intelligence in education, resilience, teacher well-being, and the advancement of STEM education; the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security strengthened applied research supporting food security; and the Central Bureau of Statistics implemented AI and machine-learning tools alongside national data infrastructures.
The report details a wide range of dedicated government research initiatives that emerged in response to the war and its social and health-related consequences. Among the key areas of focus were:
- Supporting and assisting evacuees displaced from their homes in northern and southern Israel.
- Providing dedicated support and services for the families of hostages and former hostages.
- Strengthening social and mental resilience through studies examining student resilience during wartime (Ministry of Education) and research on evacuated senior citizens (Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs).
Minister of Innovation and Science and Chair of the Forum of Chief Scientists, MK Gila Gamliel:
“In a year in which the State of Israel faced unprecedented security, economic, and social challenges, this report once again demonstrates that Israeli science is not a luxury – it is a pillar of national security. Applied research, artificial intelligence, international scientific cooperation, and our ability to protect strategic knowledge assets are integral to Israel’s technological superiority and social resilience. Our mission is to ensure that the outstanding scientific knowledge created in Israel is rapidly translated into solutions that strengthen our citizens, our economy, the public sector, and the security of the State of Israel.”
Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Innovation and Science, Prof. Miri Yemini:
” Government-funded applied research must be directed toward the needs of the State – both present and future. This does not compromise scientific excellence; rather, it enables excellence to generate real-world impact by addressing market failures, investing in fields that industry has yet to recognize, and channeling academic knowledge toward solving national challenges. The role of Chief Scientists is to transform science into a practical tool for government—by identifying needs, designing targeted calls for proposals, connecting government ministries, and advancing evidence-based policymaking.”
Chairman of the Knesset Science and Technology Committee, MK Yasser Hujirat: “Supporting research is the direct responsibility of the government, and it must act to increase the budgets of the Chief Scientists in order to ensure full research independence. At a time when we are witnessing attempts to boycott Israeli research from abroad, it is the state’s duty to step in and support our scientists. I call on all government ministers: in every ministry where a Chief Scientist has not yet been appointed, ensure that one is appointed as soon as possible. This is a significant position and a professional pillar of every ministry.”
Source and additional information: MOST
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Chief Scientists’ Report 2025 (in Hebrew)