The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF) was established in 1986 as an independent legal entity in Israel. It is located in Jerusalem. The Foundation promotes non-military research and development programmes in fundamental and applied research. Up to now, GIF has supported joint German-Israeli research projects with up to EUR 200,000 for a period of three years through its regular funding programme (Regular Grants). Since 2000, the programme for junior scientists (GIF Young Scientists‘ Programme) has provided annual grants of up to EUR 40,000.

In 2021, GIF restructured its regular funding programme. The new flagship grants programme NEXUS is divided into 2 funding lines: a collaborative track for joint proposals by German and Israeli researchers (maximum project duration: 4 years; maximum budget: EUR 800,000) and a solo track for early career scientists (maximum project duration: 1 year; maximum budget: EUR 25,000).

The Foundation finances its projects through the interest earned from the share capital of EUR 211 million, for which Israeli and German sources were equally responsible.

The Foundation’s governing body comprises an equal representation of trustees and includes the respective research ministers and eminent science personalities from both countries. Following the German Research Foundation’s (DFG) selection criteria, experts from Germany, Israel, and other countries are responsible for the assessment procedure for the allocation of funds.

Up to the end of 2018, the Foundation, in its regular programme, had approved 1,444 bilateral projects and, in its junior scientist programme, 494 cooperations from all science disciplines. The GIF grant programme is alternately supplemented with symposia in Germany and Israel which address current topics. The Foundation only considers joint applications by German and Israeli researchers.

In addition, GIF has launched other smaller programmes, such as the GIF Sustainable Impact Programme (SIP) and the GIF Young Scientists' Meeting (GYSM) programme.

The Foundation has its main office in Jerusalem, and a liaison office located in Munich. 

For additional information on the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development proceed to the foundation's website.