Deadline: 01-Mar-2026

The BIRAX Healthy Ageing programme, supported by the British Council, British Embassy in Israel, and Pears Foundation, funds collaborative UK–Israel research on ageing, multimorbidity, and interventions promoting healthy longevity. Projects focus on biological, social, and technological approaches to ageing, including personalised medicine, AI-driven analysis, and women’s age-related health.

Overview of the BIRAX Healthy Ageing Programme

The BIRAX Healthy Ageing initiative supports cutting-edge research partnerships between British and Israeli scientists to advance understanding of ageing and improve health outcomes for older adults. The programme promotes interdisciplinary, innovative projects addressing biological, medical, social, and technological aspects of healthy ageing.

Key Research Areas

• Biological mechanisms of ageing and regenerative medicine.

• Age-related multimorbidity, frailty, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions.

• Women’s age-related health research.

• Interventions in nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and environmental health impacts.

• Use of big data, AI, and deep learning to analyse ageing trends.

• Translational and personalised medicine strategies for older adults.

• Holistic approaches integrating medical, social, and community interventions.

Who is Eligible?

• Collaborative research teams must include scientists from both the UK and Israel.

• Projects must align with BIRAX Healthy Ageing strategic priorities.

• Previous BIRAX project leads and co-leads may apply to the Follow-on Funding sub-call to extend prior research outcomes.

Why It Matters

• Enhances global scientific understanding of ageing and age-related diseases.

• Supports interdisciplinary approaches combining biomedical, social, and technological expertise.

• Promotes innovation in diagnostics, therapeutics, and lifestyle interventions to improve older adults’ quality of life.

• Encourages inclusivity and diversity, integrating lived experience in research design and participant recruitment.

How to Apply

1. Two-Stage Submission:

   • Preliminary Proposal: Submission deadline 1 March 2026 (21:59 UK / 23:59 IL). Shortlisted applicants will be notified in March 2026.

   • Full Proposal: Submission deadline end of June 2026. Successful projects announced in December 2026.

2. Project Requirements:

   • Joint UK–Israel research teams.

   • Clear alignment with programme priorities.

   • Demonstrated scientific excellence, innovation, potential impact, and relevance.

   • Inclusion of diverse participants and people with lived experience.

3. Proposal Content:

   • Research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

   • Interdisciplinary approach integrating medical, social, and technological solutions.

   • Strategies for translational or personalised medicine applications.

   • Plans for participant recruitment, data management, and ethical compliance.

Tips and Common Mistakes

• Ensure UK and Israeli collaborators are fully confirmed before submission.

• Address all programme priority areas explicitly in both Preliminary and Full Proposals.

• Highlight practical applications and translational impact.

• Include diversity and inclusivity measures for participants.

• Avoid submitting proposals outside the defined research scope or without joint UK–Israel teams.

FAQ

1. Can only biomedical research be submitted? No, interdisciplinary projects including social sciences, technology, and community health interventions are eligible.
2. Are previous BIRAX awardees eligible? Yes, they may apply to the Follow-on Funding sub-call to extend previous projects.
3. What is the submission process? Two-stage: Preliminary Proposal followed by Full Proposal for shortlisted applicants.
4. When are the key deadlines? Preliminary proposals: 1 March 2026; Full proposals: end of June 2026; successful projects announced December 2026.
5. Is AI or big data research supported? Yes, projects using AI, deep learning, or big data to analyse ageing trends are encouraged.
6. What types of outcomes are prioritised? Translational applications, personalised medicine, early diagnosis, and interventions improving older adults’ quality of life.
7. Can a proposal focus solely on women’s age-related health? Yes, women’s health research is a key priority within the programme.

Conclusion

The BIRAX Healthy Ageing programme fosters transformative UK–Israel collaborations in ageing research, emphasising innovation, interdisciplinarity, and practical impact. By supporting projects across biomedical, social, and technological domains, it aims to improve health, longevity, and wellbeing for older adults worldwide.

For more information, visit British Council.