The foundation has been funding German-Israeli basic and applied research projects since 1986. In 2021, GIF restructured its funding programme by launching the NEXUS programme in two funding lines (Collaborative Track and Solo Track for young researchers ).
The German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF) was established in 1986 as an independent legal entity in Israel with headquarters in Jerusalem. The purpose of the foundation is to promote civil research and development projects in basic and applied research.
In 2021, the GIF restructured its regular funding programme by launching the NEXUS programme in two funding lines (Collaborative Track and Solo Track for young scientists). For Collaborative Track projects, the maximum funding period is four years and the total funding is a maximum of 800,000 euros; for Solo Track projects, the maximum funding period is one year and the maximum funding amount is 25,000 euros.
The foundation finances its tasks from the interest earned on the share capital of 211 million euros, which was raised in equal parts by the Israeli and German sides.
The decision-making body of the Foundation is the Board of Trustees, which is made up of equal numbers of members from the respective research ministers as well as outstanding personalities in science from both countries. Experts from Germany, Israel and other countries are involved in the review process for funding decisions. In this process, the GIF follows the selection procedures of the German Research Foundation (DFG).
To date, the foundation has funded more than 2000 projects from all scientific disciplines with a total of about 270 million euros. About 4000 scientists from 300 institutions have benefited from GIF funding.
In addition to the NEXUS programme, the GIF has launched other smaller programmes, such as the GIF Sustainable Impact Collaboration Programme (SIP) and the GIF Young Scientists’ Meeting (GYSM) programme.
The GIF Wall of Fame lists renowned scientists who have received GIF funding. These include three Israeli and twelve German Nobel Prize winners, including the winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics, Prof. Reinhard Genzel.
Liza Katz
Germany Liaison and Program Manager
Phone: +972 58 624 6056
E-mail: l.katz@gif.org.il
GIF Main Office
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 31536 Jerusalem, Israel
Street Address:
c/o WeWork King George Street 20 Jerusalem 9131402, Israel