Establishing and Enabling Access to Data Assets for Advanced AI Research
Open Date:
07/07/2025Deadline for Submission:
17/09/2025Time zone:
12:00 PM
Summary:
As part of the second phase of Israel’s National Artificial Intelligence Program, one of the key strategic priorities is leveraging existing data repositories and supporting the collection of new datasets to advance research and development (R&D) in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In order to accelerate AI-related research and development, there is a need to establish high-quality data resources in various domains that will be made accessible to Israeli companies and research institutions. These data assets are intended to serve as a foundation for innovation, enabling the delivery of R&D services and fostering collaboration across the AI ecosystem.
This call for proposals is subject to the Israel Innovation Authority’s Establishment and Accessibility of R&D Laboratories and Databases for Industry Incentive program.
Both the Israel Innovation Authority and the Ministry of Economy and Industry recognized the strategic importance of data assets across various sectors as a key technological and economic enabler for both industry and academia.
In addition, the Innovation Authority, the Tkuma Administration, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have identified that valuable agricultural data—such as soil and climate conditions, crop types, pest information, cultivation protocols, yield data, agri-tech developments, research findings, and marketing and distribution data—is often fragmented across stakeholders and lacks standardization and accessibility.
To address this challenge, the Tkuma Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Economy, and the Innovation Authority have joined forces under this Call for Proposals to promote the development of data assets in the aforementioned sectors. Special emphasis will be placed on activities conducted throughout the State of Israel, with particular focus on National Priority Areas (Development Zone A).
Program Description
This Call for Proposals aims to make unique governmental and private data repositories – accumulated over the years – accessible to technology companies and academic researchers. It also seeks to support the creation of new, relevant datasets that will serve as a foundation for cutting-edge research and innovation. These data resources are intended to accelerate R&D processes and strengthen Israel’s competitive position in the global AI landscape.
The Call addresses one or more of the following activities:
- Aggregation, development, collection, and accessibility of online data repositories to serve as a basis for AI research and development.
- Establishment of infrastructure for data collection, such as supporting relevant experiments, to complement the aggregation and accessibility efforts.
- Enabling access to unique governmental and private data repositories for use by technology companies and academic institutions.
- Provision of support services and technical assistance to facilitate effective utilization of the data repositories.
All of these activities are designed to make available generations of insights to be used in new research and technological innovation, ultimately accelerating R&D efforts and enhancing Israel’s global competitiveness in AI-driven products and services.
Finance
The total amount of grants provided to all proposals approved under this process will be up to NIS 44 million for the duration of the approved program. The approved grant rate will be either 55% or 66% of the approved budget expenses, as specified in the Incentive Program.
Designated Audience
Corporations, startups, companies, investors, entrepreneurs, commercialization firms, and government entities engaged in data and information-related fields in general — as well as organizations that hold data in the following designated sectors.
Designated Sectors:
- Life Sciences and Health – including segments such as biopharma, medical devices, and digital health.
- Advanced Manufacturing – including segments such as advanced industry, semiconductors, information technologies, and communications.
- DeserTech and Climate – including segments such as water, renewable energy, cleantech, and climate technologies.
- AgriTech – agricultural data originating from farming operations, packing houses, the Ministry of Agriculture’s GIS systems, and other relevant databases, including aquaculture.
- FoodTech – including segments such as alternative proteins, animal-product substitutes, cultivated meat, and more.
- Defense and Homeland Security Industries – including segments such as cybersecurity, dual-use technologies, defense, aerospace and space, and homeland security (HLS).
- High-Tech – including segments such as fintech and blockchain, smart transportation, and software.
Criteria
- Corporations Registered in Israel: Only entities registered in Israel are eligible to apply as primary applicants.
- International Entities: Including corporations, research institutes, and other organizations, may participate as subcontractors to an Israeli lead applicant.
- International Entities as Sole or Lead Applicants: International entities have the option to either register in Israel and apply independently or collaborate with both Israeli and international partners to apply as lead applicants.
Note: We strongly advise that international entities consult with a local tax specialist and other relevant advisors before registering an entity in Israel.
Application Process
- Applications can be submitted by the deadline of September 17th, 2025, at 12:00 noon (IST). Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.
- Queries may be e-mailed [email protected]
- Applicants may submit proposals that address only selected activities outlined in this Call for Proposals. They may also propose integrated solutions that combine multiple types of infrastructure to enhance connectivity and interoperability among data assets.