|
Government funding for civilian Israeli R&D is the highest in the world, reaching 4.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2004. By comparison, Germany spent 2.5 percent of its GDP on civilian R&D, and the US spent just 2.2 percent.
Israeli nanotechnology greatly benefits from this high rate of investment. The intensifying focus on nanotech commercialization programs is supported by the multiple government agencies, including:
- Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities
With its executive-level TELEM Forum, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities is the primary policy maker for development of scientific and industrial R&D infrastructure in Israel.
Upon release of its Israeli nanotechnology report in September 2002, the TELEM Forum elected to create the Israel National Nanotechnology Initiative (INNI).
- Israel Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor
Through its Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS), the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor is a principal funding channel for nanotech industry development in Israel.
The OCS is using its highly successful approach to help develop nanotech, including programs for:
- Bi-national industrial funding for collaborative R&D
- Participation in regional development
- Participation and development of in matching funds
- Technological infrastructure development
- Assistance for technology transfer and commercialization
- Pre-competitive industry standards development
In addition to this time-tested 'toolkit', the OCS is also inventing new programs that can better address the unique challenges of nanotech.
- Public and Private Technological Incubators
Israel has helped to pioneer the technological incubator concept since the early 1990s. Incubators support the earliest stages of technological entrepreneurship, providing R&D facilities and marketing support for companies that are not ready for venture or private seed investment.
Through its 12 public and 11 private incubators, the Technological Incubator Program, has fostered about 735 projects in Israel's leading technological fields. Approximately half of these projects have received subsequent funding following their period of incubation, amounting to total private investments in excess of US $773 million.
Israel's incubator program currently is home to only a handful of nanotech projects, but as new nanotechnologies move from academic environments to commercial ones, technological incubators are expected to play a pivotal role, identifying and building robust, marketable applications and products.
| 
