A new partnership bill will promote joint Israeli-U.S. efforts in brain research.
In an attempt to strengthen the relationship between United States and Israel, Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02) introduced the U.S.-Israel Global Neuroscience Partnership Act on Oct. 8, which will create groundbreaking progress and link the two countries as they collaborate to advance the understanding of the human brain.
“For years, the United States and Israel have worked to promote and support joint research efforts and scientific advancement,” Fattah said in a prepared statement. “This bill will strengthen that relationship by funding new and existing research and technology development with the potential to accelerate our understanding of the human brain. We know that in order to make significant neuroscience advancements, we must work together with other nations who share our goal of finding cures and treatments to brain disease.”
More than one billion people are affected by brain disease or disorders worldwide, including 50 million individuals in America. During the last decade, the United States and Israel have increased their attention and commitment to advancing neuroscience research.
The bill will direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in conjunction with Israel’s Ministry of Science and the Office of the Chief Scientist, to award grants that support neuroscience-related research and technology development. Eligible entities will include any combination of U.S. or Israeli universities, researchers, or private companies invested in neuroscience projects. The legislation will also establish a U.S.-Israel Neuroscience Advisory Committee under NIH.
The Consul General of Israel, Mid-Atlantic Region, Yaron Sideman, supports the legislation.
“Israel fosters collaborations with research institutions in the United States and Congressman Fattah has been a longtime supporter of Israeli-U.S. brain research cooperation and a great partner for the consulate’s work to cultivate these collaborations within our region,” said a spokesman for the Consul General. “When he visited Israel, Congressman Fattah met with Israel’s Chief Scientist and this past June, we had the privilege to host the Chief Scientist and a delegation of Israeli biotechnology companies at the international BIO conference and work to encourage the academic and research cooperation offered by this legislation.”
This legislation will build on successful partnerships like the U.S.-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD) and the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), but with a greater focus on bringing similar success to brain science.
In two successive visits to Israel, Fattah has discussed his efforts to increase joint neuroscience ventures between the two countries. Last March, he joined leaders of brain initiatives around the world in Tel Aviv to stress the need for increased international collaboration as a means of developing new technologies and tools to explore and repair the human brain.
Contact: jcohen@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0747
