Clean Soil, Smart Diamonds, and Technology That Sees the Invisible: Israel Innovation Authority Launches Three Flagship R&D Programs Valued at Around NIS 180 Million

09/11/2025

New applied research consortia unite leading companies and universities to advance environmental remediation, next-generation semiconductors, and advanced material testing technologies

The Israel Innovation Authority announced today the launch of three groundbreaking applied research consortia valued at approximately NIS 180 million over the next three years. Designed to position Israel at the forefront of global innovation, the initiatives focus on soil and water purification, diamond-based semiconductor components, and advanced material testing.

Three groundbreaking applied research consortia that were approved are intended to position Israel at the forefront of global innovation in the fields of soil and water purification, diamond-based semiconductor components (co-funded with DDRND – the Directorate of Defense Research and Development), and advanced materials testing. Among the partners: Rafael, Nvidia, the Volcani Institute, the Weizmann Institute, Israel Aerospace Industries, Netafim, Elbit, Element Six, and others.

The three programs – Green Soil, DiamondSEMI IL, and NDT – represent core areas of Israeli innovation: environmental technologies, advanced hardware, and material sciences. Each brings together dozens of local and international companies and academic groups to develop technologies with exceptional economic and environmental potential. These flagship initiatives aim to strengthen Israel’s competitive edge and generate lasting global impact.

Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, said: “These new flagship consortia are a powerful expression of Israel’s ability to transform academic research and scientific knowledge into real economic and industrial growth engines. They reflect the depth and maturity of Israeli innovation -from tackling environmental and climate challenges to developing diamond-based components that could revolutionize the semiconductor industry, to advanced sensing and testing technologies that place Israel at the heart of the next industrial revolution.

These consortia demonstrate how smart, focused, and long-term government investment can generate new knowledge, create technological advantages, and build infrastructures of excellence that will serve Israel’s economy for years to come. This is the unique combination of science, industry, and vision that sets Israel apart, turning it from a startup nation into a global deep-tech powerhouse. Our real challenge today is to continue creating innovation based on real value, on science, industry, and application, solutions that are embedded in the physical world, address global challenges, and shape the real economy. This marks the next stage in the evolution of Israeli high-tech: moving from speed to depth, from standalone products to infrastructures that shape the future.”

Green Soil – Biological Technologies for Soil and Groundwater Purification

The Green Soil flagship program brings together 10 companies and 16 leading academic research groups to develop advanced biological technologies for the purification of soil and groundwater contaminated by persistent pollutants, including PFAS, explosives, and fuels. The technologies being developed will enable in-situ and deep-soil contaminant degradation using tailored bacteria and biological agents, alongside innovative injection and monitoring methods. The solutions are expected to deliver an environmentally friendly, cost-effective approach for a market worth billions of Shekels in Israel and open new international opportunities for Israeli companies.

DiamondSEMI IL – Diamond-Based Semiconductor Components

The DiamondSEMI IL flagship program (in collaboration with DDRND and the Ministry of Defense) unites 12 companies and 11 academic research groups to develop optical and semiconductor components based on diamond – a material with exceptional physical properties that may set a new standard in quantum computing, communications, energy, and advanced sensing.

The research focuses on utilizing the diamond as a novel semiconductor material to significantly enhance component efficiency and durability under extreme conditions. Participating companies include Quantum Transistor, Nvidia, El-Op, Diamond Electronics, Rafael, Beckeramus, Polymertal, Elisra, Elbit Space, Gal-El, Phoenix, and Diamic. Research partners include the Weizmann Institute of Science, Bar-Ilan University, Hebrew University, Ariel University, Technion, and Tel Aviv University. In addition, Element Six, a global leader in synthetic diamond manufacturing, is participating as an observer.

NDT – Non-Destructive Testing Technologies for Advanced Materials

The NDT flagship program brings together 7 companies and 10 research groups to develop advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies for cutting-edge materials, including composite ceramics, 3D-printed metal components, and materials in enclosed environments. These new technologies will enable precise, automated, and efficient inspection throughout the product lifecycle – from development to maintenance – enhancing reliability in the automotive, defense, and aerospace industries. Participants include Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, Rafael, INTEGRITY, BINATA, ScanMaster, and Perciv, with academic partners from the Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, Technion, Ariel University, Afeka College, Bar-Ilan University, and the Soreq Institute.

The Israel Innovation Authority’s consortia are a central strategic tool designed to enable large-scale collaboration between industry and academia in technological fields at the forefront of global innovation. The goal of these programs is to accelerate the development and commercialization of breakthrough technologies that will strengthen Israeli industry, contribute to economic growth, and enhance Israel’s resilience.