NATIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AUTHORITY

Their core work

The Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) is Israel's national public body responsible for funding and supporting industrial R&D and technological innovation. Within H2020, it operates as Israel's primary National Contact Point (NCP) network hub, coordinating transnational NCP cooperation across ICT, energy, security, transport, and other thematic areas. It also co-funds joint transnational research calls through ERA-NET programmes in advanced manufacturing, quantum technologies, materials, and electric mobility. Essentially, IIA acts as Israel's gateway into the European Research Area, connecting Israeli innovators with EU funding instruments and research consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), IIA focused heavily on building and professionalizing NCP networks — training, networking, best practices sharing, and brokerage events across nearly every thematic area. From 2019 onward, the emphasis shifted markedly toward ERA-NET co-funded research calls, particularly in quantum technologies (QuantERA II, CHIST-ERA IV), advanced materials and batteries (M-ERA.NET3), and ICT-enabled agri-food systems. This evolution reflects a transition from a support/coordination role toward actively shaping transnational research agendas through co-funding mechanisms.

IIA is increasingly channeling its H2020 engagement into co-funding joint transnational research calls in quantum technologies and green materials, signaling Israel's strategic R&D priorities for Horizon Europe.

How they like to work

IIA overwhelmingly participates rather than leads — only 2 of 26 projects as coordinator, both in ICT NCP networks (Idealist). With 196 unique partners across 53 countries, it operates as a broad network connector rather than a loyal repeat-partner organization. This is consistent with its role as a national funding and innovation agency: it joins many different thematic consortia to ensure Israeli researchers and companies have access to every relevant EU programme area.

IIA has one of the broadest collaboration networks among H2020 participants, with 196 unique partners spanning 53 countries — reflecting its role as a national innovation agency that must engage across all thematic areas and geographies. Its network is genuinely global, extending well beyond EU member states to include associated countries and international cooperation partners.

What sets them apart

IIA is Israel's single national gateway to EU research collaboration, which gives it a unique bridging function: any consortium wanting Israeli participation — whether in quantum tech, manufacturing, or agri-food — will likely encounter IIA as the national co-funding partner. Unlike research institutes or universities, IIA doesn't contribute research capacity but rather funding instruments, policy alignment, and access to Israel's innovation ecosystem. For consortium builders, partnering with IIA means gaining a direct channel to Israeli national R&D funding and the country's high-tech sector.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Idealist2018
  IIA's largest H2020 project (EUR 660K) and one of only two it coordinated — the main transnational ICT NCP cooperation network.
• MANUNET III
  Largest ERA-NET co-funding commitment (EUR 527K), supporting joint transnational calls for advanced manufacturing SMEs across 2016–2022.
• QuantERA II
  Represents IIA's strategic pivot toward quantum technologies (EUR 297K), co-funding research in quantum communication, computing, simulation, and sensing.