U.S.-Israel Fund Backs Next-Gen Green Tech Innovations

TEL AVIV, Israel – January 28, 2026 – A binational U.S.-Israeli program is injecting $4.4 million into three pioneering clean energy projects designed to tackle pressing industrial and environmental challenges. The Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy program announced the funding as part of a total $9.7 million investment, including private sector contributions, aimed at accelerating technologies in robotics, recycling, and water purification.

The approved projects, selected by an executive committee including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Israel's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and the Israel Innovation Authority, represent a focused effort to commercialize solutions for energy efficiency, the circular economy, and the critical water-energy nexus.

A Strategic Alliance for a Sustainable Future

Launched in 2009 under the U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the BIRD Energy program has become a cornerstone of the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship, fostering collaborative research that drives economic growth and enhances energy security for both nations. With over 60 projects funded to date, the program has a proven history of leveraging government seed money to attract significant private investment and bring breakthrough technologies to market.

Projects qualifying for BIRD Energy funding undergo a rigorous review and must involve a partnership between at least one U.S. and one Israeli entity. The ventures must also commit to covering at least half of their project costs and repay the grant if they achieve commercial success, a model designed to back high-potential, market-ready innovations.

Eli Cohen, Israel's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted the initiative's strategic importance. "The collaboration between the United States and Israel in the fields of energy and innovation will contribute to the economies of both countries, create jobs, and strengthen our position as global leaders in innovation and AI," he stated. "Together with the Trump administration, we will work to expand ties between the two countries and strengthen the strategic alliance."

This sentiment was echoed by leaders from the innovation and business sectors. "The projects approved under BIRD Energy highlight the strength of Israel-U.S. cooperation in accelerating energy innovation," said Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority. He noted the platform uniquely enables Israeli technologies to scale for the U.S. market while giving American companies access to cutting-edge Israeli R&D.

Jaron Lotan, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation, emphasized the program's role in tangible outcomes. "This new round of BIRD Energy projects highlights the power of U.S.-Israel cooperation in advancing innovative energy technologies with clear pathways to commercialization," Lotan remarked. "These collaborations will help accelerate the transition from R&D to market-ready solutions with real economic and societal impact."

Reinventing Industry: Automation and Green Materials

Two of the newly funded projects target foundational industrial sectors: logistics and construction. They aim to introduce radical efficiency and sustainability where it is most needed.

Connecticut-based Avridh Technologies, operating as Peer Robotics, will partner with Capow of Beer Sheva, Israel, to develop what they describe as the first perpetually operating autonomous pallet jack. This technology aims to solve a major pain point in the logistics and manufacturing sectors, where autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are often limited by the need to stop for charging. A continuously operating robotic system could unlock unprecedented levels of warehouse throughput and efficiency, addressing labor shortages and rising operational costs. The global AMR market is projected to grow exponentially, reaching over $22 billion by 2032, and innovations that maximize uptime are poised for significant demand.

In the construction sector, New Jersey's Bayshore Recycling Corp will collaborate with EVA Environmental Viable Solutions of Haifa, Israel, to create a low-energy cement alternative from construction waste. Traditional cement production is notoriously energy-intensive, accounting for roughly 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. This project seeks to create a circular economy solution by transforming waste materials into a valuable, low-carbon building product. Success in this area could have a profound impact on the construction industry's carbon footprint, aligning with a global green building market expected to surpass $60 billion by 2030.

Tackling 'Forever Chemicals' and Water Scarcity

The third project addresses one of the most urgent environmental health crises of our time: the contamination of water by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Known as "forever chemicals" for their extreme persistence in the environment, PFAS are linked to serious health issues and have been found in water sources worldwide.

Global water treatment leader IDE Water Technologies, based in Kadima, Israel, will join forces with Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, to develop an integrated system for separating and concentrating PFAS during the municipal wastewater reuse process. This is a critical challenge, as effective PFAS removal is essential for ensuring the safety of recycled water, a vital resource in water-scarce regions. The global market for PFAS treatment is projected to skyrocket as regulations become stricter. The partnership combines IDE's decades of experience in large-scale desalination and water purification with Northwestern's world-class academic research in environmental engineering and materials science, creating a powerful team to develop a next-generation solution.

A Proven Model for Commercialization

The BIRD Energy program's structure is designed not just to fund ideas, but to shepherd them into the marketplace. The requirement for private co-investment and the conditional grant model ensure that only projects with strong commercial viability are selected. This "stamp of approval" often helps companies attract further venture capital and strategic partnerships.

Past BIRD Energy successes underscore the model's effectiveness. Previously funded projects that have reached the commercialization stage include a flywheel-based energy storage system capable of rapidly charging electric vehicles and a real-time energy monitoring platform that helps buildings reduce their energy consumption. By bridging the perilous gap between research and commercial reality, the program provides a critical launchpad for technologies essential to the global energy transition. These new investments continue that tradition, aiming to turn today's ambitious research into tomorrow's industry standards.