The University of Haifa has recently secured three competitive grants from the Israel Innovation Authority, totaling approximately NIS 3 million. Combined with the University’s own investment, these initiatives represent an overall commitment of nearly NIS 6 million to advancing high-tech training, innovation, and inclusive growth, particularly within Arab society.
The grants support three complementary programs that reflect the University of Haifa’s distinctive approach to innovation: bridging academic research, entrepreneurship, industry collaboration and societal impact.
1. BridgeTech: Empowering Arab Students for Careers in High-Tech
The BridgeTech program at the University of Haifa is a flagship initiative designed to train, mentor, and integrate Arab students into Israel’s high-tech sector. Led by the Rector’s Office, the program combines advanced technical training with career development, professional mentorship, and industry engagement, aiming to bridge gaps in access and representation in one of the country’s most innovative and fast-growing sectors.
With a three-year budget of nearly NIS 3 million, BridgeTech provides participants with hands-on experience, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and networking opportunities with leading companies in software development, data science, cybersecurity, and more. The program emphasizes equity, inclusion, and social impact, empowering students from underrepresented communities to build sustainable careers in high-tech while contributing to the growth of Israel’s knowledge-based economy.
By fostering a diverse talent pipeline and supporting the professional advancement of Arab students, BridgeTech demonstrates the University of Haifa’s commitment to social responsibility, workforce inclusion, and community empowerment, translating academic resources into meaningful societal change.
2. Bio-Convergence Venture Incubation Program
Led jointly by the School of Marine Sciences and the Haifa Innovation Labs (HIL), in collaboration with the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, this one-year program focuses on early-stage venture creation at the intersection of biology and technology. With a total budget of NIS 700,000, the program aims to incubate eight new ventures combining marine biology, aquaculture, and advanced computational expertise, in close partnership with industry stakeholders.
3. Challenge to Innovation – Advancing Healthcare Solutions
Led by Haifa Innovation Labs (HIL) in partnership with Clalit Health Services, this three-year program (NIS 1.8 million) brings together graduate students from across disciplines and healthcare professionals to develop innovative solutions to pressing challenges in Israel’s healthcare system. The program fosters applied innovation with real-world impact, connecting academic insight with frontline medical needs.
According to Prof. Ofer Arazy, Head of Sustainability and Innovation at the University of Haifa, “This series of competitive grants reflects the trust placed in the University of Haifa by the Israel Innovation Authority and highlights our leadership in sustainability-driven innovation and workforce development. Our goal is not only to advance technology, but to ensure that innovation translates into opportunity, resilience, and long-term societal value.”
Together, these initiatives underscore the University of Haifa’s role as a national hub for inclusive innovation, transforming research excellence into economic opportunity, social mobility and sustainable impact.