The Weizmann Institute Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1.8m raised (2024); c.£3m distributed to Weizmann Institute annually
• Grant Program: Making Connections
• Grant Amount: $100,000 per project
• Project Duration: 2 years
• Geographic Focus: UK-Israel research collaborations
• Application Type: Non-public process (initiated through Weizmann Institute scientists)
• Awards per Year: Approximately 5 grants annually
• Total Awards Since 2008: 76+ grants

Contact Details

Address: Unit 9 Hampstead Gate, 1a Frognal, London NW3 6AL

Phone: 020 7424 6860

Email: post@weizmann.org.uk

Website: www.weizmann.org.uk

Collaboration Inquiries: post@weizmann.org.uk

Overview

The Weizmann Institute Foundation (Charity Number 232666), operating as Weizmann UK, is a UK registered charity founded in 1950 that raises funds for and promotes awareness of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. With 12 trustees and 6 staff members, the foundation operates as the primary UK fundraising arm for the Institute, channelling over £3 million annually to support scientific research and collaborative programmes. The foundation's key strategic initiative is the Making Connections programme, established in 2008 as a positive response to academic boycotts, which funds collaborative research partnerships between Weizmann Institute scientists and UK university researchers. The foundation also operates educational programmes for UK students and hosts scientific symposia to raise awareness of the Institute's breakthroughs across disciplines ranging from cancer research to astrophysics and nanotechnology.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Making Connections - UK-Israel Collaborative Research Programme

• Award Amount: $100,000 per project
• Project Duration: 2 years
• Application Method: Initiated through Weizmann Institute scientists (non-public process; annual calls for proposals)
• Frequency: Annual calls for proposals, typically early in the year (January/February)
• Awards Per Year: Approximately 5 grants annually
• Eligible Applicants: Joint proposals must include at least one Principal Investigator from the Weizmann Institute and one from a UK university or research institute
• Track Record: 76+ grants awarded since 2008, involving 186 researchers from both countries and partnerships with 26+ UK academic institutions

Priority Areas

Making Connections funds collaborative scientific research across all disciplines active at the Weizmann Institute, including:

• Life sciences and cancer research
• Cell biology and molecular processes
• Brain science, learning and memory
• Astrophysics and cosmology (dark energy, universe structure)
• Artificial intelligence and computational methods
• Advanced materials and self-assembly
• Metabolic and epigenetic research
• Environmental sciences

The programme specifically seeks to establish new scientific cooperation and initiate research collaborations between scientists in both countries. It is explicitly designed to strengthen UK-Israel academic ties and foster international scientific exchange.

What They Don't Fund

• Research not involving a Weizmann Institute scientist as a Principal Investigator
• Applications initiated by UK researchers alone (must be partnered with Weizmann)
• Research outside the scope of the Weizmann Institute's scientific activities
• General institutional funding or capacity-building grants
• Projects for organizations other than the Weizmann Institute of Science

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Governance and Leadership

Life President: Dame Vivien Duffield DBE

President: Barry Townsley CBE

Chair: Dr Arabella Duffield (third generation of the Clore family's relationship with the Institute)

Vice Presidents:

• Martin Paisner CBE (former Chair, 8 years)
• Lord Mitchell
• Denis Raeburn

Honorary Secretary: Jonathan Kropman

Honorary Treasurer: David Marks

Board Members:

• Dr Iris Good (Scientific Advisor)
• Dean Lush
• Bianca Roden
• Sir John Ritblat
• Denitza Roussinova
• Michael Sandler
• Hayley Sieff
• Simon Sturge
• Charles Wolfson Townsley

Financial Profile (2024): Total income £1,818,831; charitable expenditure £3,061,000. No trustees receive remuneration or benefits from the charity. The foundation maintains strong governance with all accounts filed on schedule with the Charity Commission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: The Weizmann Institute Foundation does NOT have a public application process for Making Connections grants. Applications cannot be submitted directly by UK organizations or researchers.

The application process works as follows:

1. Identify a Weizmann Institute Collaborator: UK-based researchers must first identify a potential research partner at the Weizmann Institute of Science whose work aligns with their research interests.

1. Initiate Contact: Contact your potential Weizmann partner directly to explore a collaborative research opportunity. The Weizmann Institute has over 1,000 active research projects spanning all scientific disciplines, making it likely that a suitable collaborator exists for most research areas.

1. Joint Proposal Development: Work with your Weizmann partner to develop a joint research proposal. The Weizmann scientist will submit the application through the institute's internal channels.

1. Annual Call for Proposals: The Weizmann Institute of Science issues calls for proposals annually for the Making Connections programme, typically in early January/February. Your Weizmann partner will know the submission deadline and internal application process.

• At least one Principal Investigator from the Weizmann Institute
• At least one Principal Investigator from a UK university or research institute
• Research proposal outlining the collaborative project
• Budget request (up to $100,000 over 2 years)

Key Contact: For inquiries about the Making Connections programme or for assistance identifying a potential Weizmann collaborator, contact post@weizmann.org.uk or call 020 7424 6860.

Getting on Their Radar

Since there is no public application process, the key to securing Making Connections funding is strategic relationship-building with Weizmann Institute scientists. Here are funder-specific strategies documented in their approach:

Direct Scientist-to-Scientist Engagement:

The foundation explicitly states: “If you are a UK scientist wishing to collaborate, please contact your potential Weizmann partner.” This is their primary discovery mechanism. The Weizmann Institute maintains research collaborations across approximately 30 UK universities and research institutes, suggesting they are open to new partnerships with high-quality researchers.

Institutional Visibility:

The foundation actively promotes research collaborations and maintains relationships with major UK research institutions, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College, Manchester, UCL, St Andrews, Southampton, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, and the Francis Crick Institute. Researchers at these institutions may have existing networks or relationships that can facilitate introduction to Weizmann scientists.

Scientific Alignment Strategy:

Research the Weizmann Institute's research portfolio directly (weizmann.ac.il) to identify scientists working in your field. The Institute operates approximately 1,000 research projects across all scientific disciplines, so most UK researchers should be able to find potential collaborators in their area.

Sector Conferences and Networks:

While not explicitly documented in publicly available sources, Making Connections has historically identified partnerships through academic conferences and professional networks where both UK and Israeli scientists participate. Engaging actively in your scientific field's international forums increases visibility.

Historical Partnership Pattern:

The programme has been running since 2008 and has built partnerships with 26+ UK academic institutions. If your institution has previously partnered with the Weizmann Institute, your institution's leadership or research offices may already have established relationships that can be leveraged to facilitate scientist introductions.

Decision Timeline

Proposal Submission Window: Early in the year (typically January/February)

Decision Timeline: Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented, but given the annual cycle and approximately 5 awards per year, decisions are likely made within 2-3 months of the submission deadline.

Notification: Winners are announced publicly via Weizmann UK news announcements (see references section for examples of award announcements).

Success Rates

Based on available data:

• Total Awards Since 2008: 76+ grants
• Estimated Annual Awards: 5 per year
• Years of Programme: 16+ years
• Implied Success Rate: Approximately 20-25% (5 awards from estimated 20-25 proposals annually, though exact submission numbers are not publicly disclosed)

The programme is highly competitive, with rigorous peer review of research proposals through the Weizmann Institute's formal channels.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. However, the programme's history suggests that:

• Unsuccessful applicants can reapply in subsequent years
• The annual cycle nature of calls suggests multiple opportunities exist
• Previous award recipients can presumably apply again, as the goal is to establish ongoing partnerships

For specific guidance on reapplication timelines or restrictions, contact post@weizmann.org.uk directly.

Application Success Factors

Research Quality and Significance

The primary criterion for Making Connections grants is the scientific merit and potential impact of the proposed collaboration. The programme funds research that:

• Represents High-Quality Science: The Weizmann Institute is one of the world's leading research institutions, and all proposals are evaluated through rigorous scientific peer review. Your research must meet international standards of excellence.

• Offers Novel Collaborative Opportunities: The funding is specifically designed to initiate new collaborations (“establishing scientific cooperation”). Proposals that demonstrate clear complementarity between the UK researcher's expertise and the Weizmann scientist's work are more competitive. As the foundation states, the programme's purpose is “establishing scientific cooperation between the Weizmann Institute of Science and UK scientists by providing funding to initiate research collaborations.”

• Has Defined Two-Year Deliverables: Since grants cover exactly two years, proposals must clearly articulate what will be accomplished within this timeframe. The budget of $100,000 over two years ($50,000 per year) should be realistic for the proposed work plan.

Research Portfolio Evidence

The types of research historically funded by Making Connections provides insight into competitive proposals:

Recent Awards Include:

• Artificial intelligence applications
• Cell metabolism and epigenetics
• Personalized science education research
• Molecular and cellular process investigations
• Advanced materials development

Early Programme Success Stories:

• Brain processes involved in learning and memory
• Astrophysics research on dark energy and universe structure
• Physical principles governing cellular processes
• Molecular deciphering of cellular events
• Advanced materials and self-assembly

The breadth of funded research demonstrates that Making Connections supports innovation across scientific disciplines—from fundamental science to applied research.

Institutional Fit

• Partner Prestige: The programme has funded partnerships with leading UK research institutions including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, and Manchester. However, partnerships also exist with smaller universities and specialist institutes like the Francis Crick Institute, suggesting that institutional size is less important than research quality.

• Weizmann Institute Alignment: The Weizmann Institute conducts research across life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science. If your research falls within these domains and aligns with the institute's research strategy, alignment is strong.

Application Presentation

While specific guidance on proposal formatting is limited in public documentation, Making Connections requires proposals to be submitted through the Weizmann Institute's formal research grants system. This suggests that proposals should:

• Follow the Weizmann Institute's application standards and formatting requirements
• Clearly articulate the scientific questions and methodologies
• Demonstrate complementary expertise between partners
• Provide realistic budgets and timelines
• Include appropriate institutional support documentation

Strategic Considerations

Timing: The annual call typically opens in January/February. Early engagement with your potential Weizmann partner is critical to allow time for joint proposal development before the deadline.

Partnership Quality: The foundation emphasizes partnerships and collaboration. The strength of your relationship with your Weizmann partner, and evidence that you have already begun preliminary discussions about research directions, strengthens your application.

Institutional Support: Ensure your UK institution provides formal endorsement of the collaborative arrangement and confirms commitment to supporting the research.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not a traditional grant competition. Making Connections funding is accessed through direct collaboration with Weizmann Institute scientists, not through a competitive call open to UK organizations. Your first step must be identifying and contacting a potential Weizmann research partner.

• Scientist-to-scientist relationships are everything. The foundation's explicit guidance is “contact your potential Weizmann partner.” The quality of your relationship with your collaborator at the Weizmann Institute will significantly influence the success of your funding application, as they will be submitting the proposal through their institution.

• Be specific about complementarity. Making Connections funds are designed to establish new partnerships that combine distinct expertise. Your proposal should clearly articulate what unique contributions both the UK and Weizmann scientists bring to the collaboration.

• Realistic two-year outcomes matter. With $100,000 over two years, your research plan must be achievable within budget and timeline. Overly ambitious proposals that cannot be completed in two years will not be competitive.

• Access this funding through major UK research institutions if possible. While not required, the programme has strongest connections with Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, Manchester, and UCL. If you work at one of these institutions, leverage existing relationships with institutional research offices or previous Weizmann collaborators.

• Time your approach strategically. Annual calls open in January/February. Begin identifying Weizmann collaborators several months in advance to allow adequate time for proposal development.

• This programme represents UK-Israel diplomatic soft power. The Making Connections programme was explicitly created in 2008 as a response to academic boycotts of Israel, positioning it as a strategic initiative to strengthen UK-Israel academic ties. Understanding this context helps you position your proposal as contributing to important international scientific collaboration.

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Central British Fund for World Jewish Relief
• United Jewish Israel Appeal
• PRISM THE GIFT FUND
• TATE FOUNDATION
• NEW ISRAEL FUND
• JW3 DEVELOPMENT
• THE LIGHTHOUSE

References

1. Weizmann UK Official Website - Collaboration Introduction Page.. https://www.weizmann.org.uk/collaboration/introduction

1. Weizmann UK. “Making Connections grants for 2022-2023 announced.” News article. https://www.weizmann.org.uk/news/making-connections-grants-for-2022-2023-announced..

1. Weizmann UK. Board of Trustees. https://www.weizmann.org.uk/about/board-of-trustees..

1. UK Charity Commission Register. THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE FOUNDATION - Charity Number 232666. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=232666..

1. Weizmann UK. Annual Reports Page. https://www.weizmann.org.uk/about/annual-reports.. [References latest annual accounts ending 30 September 2024, showing total income £1,818,831 and charitable expenditure £3,061,000]

1. WeizmannCompass. “UK: New Making Connections grants strengthen UK-Israel research ties.” https://www.weizmann.ac.il/WeizmannCompass/sections/weizmann-world/weizmann-uk/uk-new-making-connections-grants-strengthen-uk-israel-research..

1. Weizmann UK. Contact Page. https://www.weizmann.org.uk/contact..

1. Weizmann Institute of Science. Research Grants and Projects Office - Overview of timeline of annual submission deadlines. https://www.weizmann.ac.il/RGP/content/overview-timeline-annual-submission-deadlines-popular-funding-agencies..

1. Weizmann Institute of Science. Management and Contact Information. https://www.weizmann.ac.il/pages/contact..

1. Fundraising Regulator Directory. The Weizmann Institute Foundation. https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/directory/weizmann-institute-foundation..

1. Weizmann Institute of Science. Making Connections - People | Weizmann Wonder Wander. https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/people/making-connections..

1. Weizmann UK. Making Connections 2021 Fundraising Campaign. https://weizmann.org.uk/get-involved/making-connections-2021..