The BSF aims to support scientific excellence and collaboration between Israeli and American scientists within various research areas. This mission is realized through funding programs that encourage cooperation and innovation in the scientific community.
The Start-Up Grant Program is designed to assist newly appointed researchers at the outset of their independent careers, especially those without initial results to support their grant applications. It provides a two-year grant period, enabling recipients to prepare for subsequent standard grant competitions. The program emphasizes scientific excellence and requires collaboration between Israeli and American scientists, adhering to the research areas supported by the BSF for that year. Criteria for applicants include having received a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent degree within the past ten years. Start-Up Grant applications follow the same submission and evaluation processes as regular BSF Research Grant applications and compete for funding alongside them, though they have historically experienced higher success rates.