Israel Cancer Research Fund Exceeds $100 Million in Cumulative Scientific Funding
Historic Milestone in Cancer Research Funding
The Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) has officially surpassed a monumental milestone, exceeding $100 million in cumulative scientific funding since its establishment in 1975. The landmark achievement was announced by ICRF Executive Director Alan Herman as the organization kicks off its 2026-2027 funding cycle with an initial commitment of $4.9 million.
Over its five-decade history, the ICRF has supported more than 3,000 groundbreaking cancer research projects, fostering crucial discoveries and therapies that have transformed global oncology.
The 2026–2027 Funding Cycle
The newly launched funding cycle highlights both the incredible talent of the scientific community and the ongoing challenges of securing sufficient resources for medical research.
Projects Selected for Immediate Funding
For this cycle, the ICRF's Scientific Review Panel identified 38 outstanding research proposals of exceptional merit. Thanks to donor generosity, the fund has approved immediate support for 25 of these projects. These grants will empower top-tier scientists working in Israel's leading institutions to pursue innovative research into cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The Unfunded Gap
Despite the progress, 13 highly rated, peer-reviewed projects currently remain unfunded due to budgetary limitations.
- National and International Mobilization: Fundraising teams across the United States, Canada, and Israel are actively working to secure the necessary capital to bring these remaining 13 projects to life.
- Urgency of Support: Executive Director Alan Herman emphasized that leaving highly qualified research unfunded delays potential life-saving breakthroughs.
A Critical Time for Israeli Scientific Research
The milestone comes at a time of heightened urgency for scientists in the region. Traditional avenues of international research funding have steadily declined, and Israeli investigators face additional obstacles.
According to Alan Herman, a rise in global antisemitism has erected new barriers for Israeli scientists seeking international funding opportunities and collaborations. This makes the independent, non-governmental funding provided by the ICRF more vital than ever to ensure that premier scientific minds can continue their work without political or social interruption.
"For more than 50 years, ICRF has ensured that Israel’s brightest scientific minds have the opportunity to pursue bold ideas that might otherwise go unfunded," said Herman. "Time and again, those investments have led to discoveries that have transformed our understanding of cancer and contributed to therapies that are saving lives across the globe."