Israel Voted Into Distinguished International Science Institute

December 14, 2017 | Israel has been voted into the International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA) by a majority of the research organization’s international members, the Science and Technology Ministry announced this week. The IIASA is a distinguished Austria-based research institute of an international network of researchers. It has a total of 24 members including the United States, the UK, China, Russia, Egypt, and Indonesia. Israel’s membership was approved by 17 countries, with five voting no and one abstention.  Israel’s annual membership fee will will cost about $413,858 with the Science and Technology Ministry footing about 70 percent of the bill. Upon inclusion, Israeli researchers will get access to data analysis and training from the organization with possibilities for research collaborations. The institute is known for its published studies in topics like environment and economy, which are among the most internationally well-received science research in the world. Science, Technology, and Space Minister Ofir Akunis said in a statement that the inclusion was “an expression of great faith in Israeli science, technology, and innovation.”