BIRAX Healthy Ageing | Call for Research Proposals 2025 

BIRAX (the Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange) is a multi-million-pound initiative of the British Council and the British Embassy in Israel, together with the Pears Foundation, investing in world-leading research jointly undertaken by scientists in Britain and Israel.  

We are plased to announce the launch of the new BIRAX call for proposals under the Healthy Ageing phase. This next stage of the programme has evolved naturally from previous calls, while also being carefully designed to address one of today’s most pressing global challenges.  

Since 2012, BIRAX has awarded over £12.5 million to support 32 research projects through five funding calls under its Regenerative Medicine Initiative (RMI) and Ageing phases. The new phase of BIRAX – Healthy Ageing – builds thoughtfully on the experience and knowledge of previous phases. It is shaped by the growing global challenge of ageing populations and aims to deepen our scientific understanding of the ageing process and its impact on human health and well-being. The Healthy Ageing phase reflects BIRAX’s continued commitment to advancing not only the biology of ageing, but also strategies to preserve health, mobility, and quality of life as people age. 

Alongside the main Call for Proposals, we are introducing another opportunity of BIRAX Healthy Ageing sub-call for Follow-on Funding. This opportunity is open exclusively to previous project leads and co-leads of BIRAX-funded projects, enabling them to build on their successful research under the BIRAX programme (Regenerative Medicine Initiative and Healthy Ageing). This sub-call follows the same Call for Proposals document, timeline, and review process as the main call, and will also be conducted in two stages: Preliminary Proposal and Full Proposal. 

We invite research proposals to be submitted jointly by British and Israeli scientists that seek to further the understanding of ageing and its impact on human health and well-being. We welcome projects that use a holistic approach to healthy ageing, including pioneering techniques, state-of-the-art technologies and interdisciplinary approaches, showcasing the added value of international collaboration. 

Submission Process 

Both opportunities – the BIRAX Healthy Ageing Call for Proposals and the Follow-on Funding sub-call will use a two-stage submission process. The current stage is the Preliminary Proposal, which builds upon the initial  Concept Note stage. Following the review of preliminary proposals, selected applicants will be invited to submit a Full Proposal. The full proposal stage is expected to take place in March–June 2026.  

Please find attached the following documents:  

For both opportunities: 

  • BIRAX Healthy Ageing Call for Proposals 2025 
  • BIRAX Grant Sample Agreement (will be uploaded shortly. Kindly revisit the website later.) 

For BIRAX Healthy Ageing Call for Proposals opportunity: 

  • BIRAX Healthy Ageing Call for Proposals – Guidelines for applicants (Preliminary proposals) 
  • BIRAX Healthy Ageing Call for Proposals – FAQ for applicants 
  • BIRAX Healthy Ageing Call for Proposals – Sample Application Form for Reference 

For BIRAX Healthy Ageing Sub-call for Follow-on Funding opportunity: 

  • BIRAX HA Sub-Call for Follow-on Funding – Guidelines for Applicants (Preliminary proposals) 
  • BIRAX HA Sub Call for Follow-on – Sample Application Form for Reference 

Please read all documents carefully before submitting your proposal. 

Please note that the sample application forms are for reference only; all applications must be submitted online through the GoodGrants Application Form.  

The deadline for applications: Sunday, 1 March 2026 at 21:59 (UK Time) / 23:59 (Israel Time).  

Please contact us at BIRAXAgeing@britishcouncil.org.il to receive updates about BIRAX Healthy Ageing. 

Share this