Weizmann Institute Faces Double Blow From Iranian Strike
WANA (Sep 07) – The Weizmann Institute has reportedly suffered heavy financial and scientific setbacks following an Iranian missile strike and a sharp decline in European research funding for Israeli scientists.
According to recent Hebrew-language media reports, funding for young Israeli researchers under Europe’s major Horizon Europe programme fell by 67%, from around 30 grants in 2024 to just 10 in 2025. The figure rose slightly to 11 in 2026, but Israel’s ranking among participating countries dropped from sixth to 12th.
Horizon Europe, with a €95.5 billion budget over seven years, is one of the world’s major research-funding programmes. Israel has participated in the programme for more than two decades, making the decline a significant concern for its scientific sector.
The reduction has also affected senior and mid-career researchers. Grants for senior Israeli academics fell from 16 in 2022 and 12 in 2024 to seven in 2025, while grants for mid-career researchers dropped from 17 to 13.
Major Israeli Universities See Sharp Declines
Several leading Israeli institutions have also experienced major reductions. The Hebrew University reportedly received no grants for young researchers in 2026, compared with 10 in 2023 and three in 2025.
Destruction of 50 Weizmann Laboratories in Iranian Strike
WANA (Sep 13) – Israeli media reported today that the Weizmann Institute of Science, one of Israel’s most important research centers, was hit by two Iranian missiles during the recent 12-day war, causing extensive damage. The head of the institute’s scientific council described the losses as “irreparable,” stating: “The scale of destruction is such […]
The Weizmann Institute received only one grant in 2026, down from eight the previous year. Tel Aviv University received five, compared with 11 in 2024, while the Technion, Bar-Ilan University and Ben-Gurion University reportedly received only one or two each.
Missile Strike Causes Hundreds of Millions in Damage
Alongside growing scientific isolation, the Weizmann Institute was reportedly severely damaged by Iranian missile strikes during the 12-day war.
According to the institute’s scientific council chairman, two Iranian missiles struck the facility, destroying more than 50 laboratories and research equipment. The financial damage was estimated at between $400 million and $540 million, while around 90% of the institute’s buildings reportedly suffered some form of damage.
The strike was also reported to have contributed to the institute falling out of the global top 100 scientific institutions for the first time, dropping to 111th place.
Scientific Boycotts Increase
The institute is now facing both the effects of the military strike and growing international scientific isolation. According to a report by the Committee of Heads of Israeli Universities, recorded cases of academic boycotts increased from 20 in November 2025 to 50 in May 2026, a 150% rise.
The measures reportedly include foreign researchers refusing to cooperate with Israeli academics, opposition to joint projects and calls to remove Israeli researchers from international research programmes.
Professor Itay Ater of Tel Aviv University reportedly warned that Israeli government policies were damaging the country’s international image and that the decline in European funding reflected this trend. He also warned that continued isolation could encourage researchers to leave Israel while discouraging them from returning.
Horizon Europe Described as an “Oxygen Tube”
Israeli academic officials have emphasized the importance of European research funding. Michal Bar-Asher of Ben-Gurion University reportedly described Horizon Europe as an “oxygen tube” for Israel’s scientific system, saying the future of research was closely tied to the programme.
Israel’s Council for Higher Education attributed the decline in funding partly to years of war and said it would work to prevent the trend from continuing.
The head of Israel’s National Academy of Sciences also described the figures as “very worrying,” warning that expanding academic boycotts could further damage Israeli researchers’ international cooperation.
Tel Aviv: Iran Controlled Cameras During Weizmann Strike, Israeli Cyber Chief Says
WANA (Dec 09) – In one of the most unusual security disclosures in Israel in recent months, the newly appointed head of the country’s National Cyber Directorate acknowledged that Iran penetrated Israel’s urban surveillance networks during the recent confrontation, and briefly took control of a street camera moments before a ballistic missile struck the Weizmann […]
