RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The scientific community at Ben-Gurion University numbers over 1400 researchers including about 800 tenured faculty appointments, almost 300 scientists who have immigrated from the former Soviet Union, and over 300 medical clinicians from the Soroka University Medical Center.

Research profiles and research interests of university faculty members, sorted by faculty and department, can be found by browsing at http://profiler.bgu.ac.il/frontoffice/

In keeping with its mandate, the university has played a key role in promoting industry, agriculture and education in the Negev. It is a world leader in arid zone research, offering its expertise to many developing countries. Through growing ties with the Arab world, Ben-Gurion University has worked to lay the foundations for scientific and academic co-operation throughout the Middle East. Researchers at BGU have demonstrated that they possess the ability and the commitment to make a difference.

The main objectives of Ben-Gurion University are research and teaching. Within this mandate, the University strives to solicit resources in support of research activities from foundations, funding agencies and grant organisations, in Israel and abroad. About 35% of BGU's research grants & contracts are funded from outside of Israel.

The Office of the Vice President & Dean for Research & Development has overall managerial responsibility for Ben-Gurion University's research enterprise, and seeks to promote a research environment that fosters initiative, creativity, and collaboration. Its specific goals are to provide effective support for campus-wide research efforts; to advocate for research needs and resources; and to maximize the benefits of BGU's research to science and the community.

In support of these goals, the Office of the Vice President & Dean for R&D implements research policies and facilitates research activities. It guides the allocation of donations and endowment funds which are critical for assisting new faculty, for funding infrastructure and bridging gaps. For more specific information on funding, feel free to browse at: http://cmsprod.bgu.ac.il/Eng/Units/osr/default.htm

The R&D Authority solicits and administers research funds through the Office of Sponsored Research. Links with industry and the exploitation of R&D are managed by a university owned company, BGN Technologies.