Israel Innovation Authority — Tnufa Incentive Program
Conditional grant up to NIS 200,000 covering up to 80% of the approved budget · Israel Innovation Authority (Government of Israel) · rolling applications
A year-round Israeli ideation/pre-seed conditional grant for individuals and new startups. Tnufa covers up to 80% of an approved budget and up to NIS 200,000 over 12 months for proof of concept, prototype, IP protection and initial business development. It takes no equity, but successful products repay the grant through royalties from sales.
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Key facts
| Funder | Israel Innovation Authority (Government of Israel) |
| Amount | Conditional grant up to NIS 200,000 covering up to 80% of the approved budget |
| Deadline | Rolling — apply anytime |
| Decision time | The official English overview does not publish a submission-to-decision duration; Israeli applicants are directed to the Hebrew site for the controlling process. |
| Eligibility | Individual entrepreneurs and new Israeli startup companies developing and validating an innovative technological concept toward proof of concept and business feasibility. An individual can apply before forming a company and need not leave an existing job merely to receive support. |
| Restrictions | Conditional grant for up to 80% of an approved 12-month budget, implying at least 20% co-financing. Eligible uses include prototype materials, consumables, subcontractors/consultants, patent attorneys, exhibitions and initial business development; salaries and overhead are excluded. Successful products repay through sales royalties, while entrepreneurs retain project rights. |
| Status | rolling |
Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.
Application process
- Review the English overview and current Hebrew rules
- Prepare the technological concept, proof-of-concept work plan and eligible 12-month budget
- Apply through the Israel Innovation Authority route
- Undergo professional and committee review under the controlling Hebrew procedure
- If approved, execute the conditional-grant project and meet expense/royalty obligations
Background
Tnufa is designed to let fledgling Israeli entrepreneurs validate a technological concept before substantial commercialization or even company formation. The Authority says roughly 100 entrepreneurs receive support each year. Recipients keep project rights and may later seek other Authority programs, but must finance the uncovered budget share and comply with conditional-grant royalty rules.
How the application really works
An individual or very new Israeli startup proposes a 12-month proof-of-concept and business-feasibility plan. The Authority funds up to 80% of approved eligible costs. There is no equity claim, but successful commercialization triggers sales royalties. Exact forms and review mechanics are on the controlling Hebrew route.
Tips
- Frame a concrete technological proof of concept and business-feasibility milestone
- Budget only published eligible costs and provide the uncovered share
- Use patent, prototype and early market-development work to reach the next funding milestone
- Read current Hebrew rules for company-status, expense-evidence and royalty details
Watch out for
- Salaries and overhead are excluded
- The 80% rate implies applicant co-financing
- A successful product repays through royalties
- The English page is not a complete application manual
- The displayed 2028 date should be confirmed before treating it as a hard cutoff
Track record
- Authority announcement says approximately 100 entrepreneurs receive Tnufa support annually
- Recipients may progress to other Israel Innovation Authority programs
No application denominator or acceptance rate is published on the checked English sources.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this actionable now?
- rolling. The official page says the program is open yearlong and separately displays 2028-01-01 under submission dates; treat that date as a published administrative horizon and verify it in the Hebrew guidance before relying on it as a cutoff.
- What is the real economic value?
- Conditional grant covering up to 80% of approved budget; sales royalties upon success
- Who is eligible?
- Individual entrepreneurs and new Israeli startup companies developing and validating an innovative technological concept toward proof of concept and business feasibility. An individual can apply before forming a company and need not leave an existing job merely to receive support.
- How does selection work?
- Review the English overview and current Hebrew rules; Prepare the technological concept, proof-of-concept work plan and eligible 12-month budget; Apply through the Israel Innovation Authority route; Undergo professional and committee review under the controlling Hebrew procedure; If approved, execute the conditional-grant project and meet expense/royalty obligations. The official English overview does not publish a submission-to-decision duration; Israeli applicants are directed to the Hebrew site for the controlling process.
- What burden and restrictions apply?
- Conditional grant for up to 80% of an approved 12-month budget, implying at least 20% co-financing. Eligible uses include prototype materials, consumables, subcontractors/consultants, patent attorneys, exhibitions and initial business development; salaries and overhead are excluded. Successful products repay through sales royalties, while entrepreneurs retain project rights.
- What track-record evidence exists?
- Authority announcement says approximately 100 entrepreneurs receive Tnufa support annually; Recipients may progress to other Israel Innovation Authority programs. No application denominator or acceptance rate is published on the checked English sources.
- Which facts remain unresolved?
- required_materials
Related grants
Israel Innovation Authority — Technological Incubators Incentive ProgramUp to NIS 40 million cumulatively over a five-year incubator concession; this is operator funding, not a direct founder grant · Israel Innovation Authority (Government of Israel)Israel Innovation Authority — Startup (Early-Stage/Seed) FundPre-Seed 60% up to NIS 2m; Seed 50% up to NIS 6m; Round A 30% up to NIS 15m, with 10% enhanced caps for qualifying preferred companies · Israel Innovation Authority (Government of Israel)Israel Innovation Authority R&D FundConditional grant usually expressed as a percentage of approved Israeli R&D cost, with enhanced rates for qualifying young companies or priority areas · Israel Innovation AuthorityIsrael Innovation Authority MAGNETONConditional R&D grant covering a program-defined share of approved technology-transfer cost; current ceiling must be confirmed on the live Hebrew call · Israel Innovation Authority1517 Fund Medici Micro-Grant$1,000 or more; the official route does not publish a universal maximum · 1517 FundNat Friedman & Daniel Gross Grants (AI Grant)USD 250,000 maximum; see notes for structure · Nat Friedman & Daniel Gross
Sources
- innovationisrael.org.il/en/programs/ideation-tnufa-incentive-program — Official current English program page: year-round state, 80% rate, NIS 200k grant, 12-month period, applicant types, rights, royalties, follow-on and eligible uses (checked 2026-08-10)
- innovationisrael.org.il/en/press_release/stimulus-to-boost-israeli-high-tech — Official Authority announcement: approximately 100 entrepreneurs supported annually and individual pre-incorporation access (checked 2026-08-10)
- innovationisrael.org.il/en/programs/tnufa-incentive-program — Official source used for the 2026-08-11 verification correction. (checked 2026-08-11)