Operating model

Applied research with industry

The work begins with a real technological challenge brought by a company or group of companies. FourWard draws on an ongoing mapping of research capabilities across the four institutions and forms, according to the challenge, the most suitable research group and a path forward.

With FourWard’s establishment, an ongoing mapping of research capabilities began across the four institutions and continues to be updated regularly. The mapping is carried out with the research offices and commercialisation companies in each institution, whose teams know their researchers, laboratories and infrastructure deeply. On this foundation, and through a joint examination of each challenge, FourWard forms the most suitable professional composition for the research group.

Open call

Do you have a challenge that requires research across multiple fields?

Through the Bio-Convergence open call, industry representatives are invited to submit a professional challenge and researchers are invited to submit an applied research idea. FourWard will review submissions and work to form multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research groups around suitable challenges and ideas.

Submit a research idea Submit by October 15, 2026

Shared industry challenges

From one company, through a group of companies, to a sector-wide challenge

FourWard works with individual companies, groups of companies and bodies representing an entire sector. Alongside a direct company enquiry, institutional collaborations can identify cross-cutting or sector-wide challenges shared by several companies and turn them into joint research, grounded in practical needs and the research capabilities of the four institutions.

This shared work gives small and medium-sized companies access to leading research and development capabilities as a group. The appropriate funding paths are considered when the challenge is selected, including relevant Israel Innovation Authority programmes. The activity gives priority to companies operating in Jerusalem and its surroundings and works to strengthen their ability to address significant challenges through joint research.

Alongside advancing research solutions, the connection to the research community gives Jerusalem companies access to knowledge, capabilities and high-quality talent, strengthening the city’s professional ecosystem.

A company facing a technological challenge

Building a dedicated research team for each challenge

FourWard works both with individual companies facing complex technological challenges and with groups of companies that come together around a shared challenge through institutional collaborations. This model also enables small and medium-sized companies to gain shared access to leading research and development capabilities. After studying and defining the challenge, FourWard assembles a dedicated research team from the appropriate institutions, based on the research capabilities, expertise and infrastructure the task requires.

Understanding the technological challenge

Defining the challenge, the technological need and the boundaries of the problem.

Understanding the business context

Clarifying the business objective, the implementation environment and the constraints that must be considered.

Research framing

Translating the challenge into research questions and a clear work plan.

Team formation

Assembling a dedicated team with the appropriate researchers and professionals from each institution, according to the nature of the challenge.

Research and application

Conducting the research, developing a solution and progressing towards implementation in the company.

Funding framework

The company provides the budgetary framework required to carry out the research, through its own resources, research funds or suitable Israel Innovation Authority programmes.