Israel Brain Technologies (IBT), a non-profit organization on a mission to advance Israel’s neurotechnology industry, announced earlier this month the launch of its $1-million global Breakthrough Research And Innovation in Neurotechnology (BRAIN) Prize.
Inspired by the vision of Israeli President Shimon Peres, IBT aims to establish the country as the epicentre of global brain technology and related research.
The group promotes multi-disciplinary research and development projects in Israel and abroad. IBT’s international judging committee will be composed of distinguished leaders in neuroscience, technology and business, and will include two Nobel Prize laureates.
The million-dollar prize will be awarded to an individual or team that discovers a breakthrough in brain technology.
The prize will showcase Israel as an international hub for innovation in brain research and technology, helping position Israel as not only the “startup nation” but also the “brain nation.”
Peres predicted that within the next 10 to 15 years, new discoveries in brain technology and research will revolutionize our lives – perhaps giving way to treatments for neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or even sports-related brain trauma.
“Discovering the secrets of the human brain will teach us how to create artificial parts of our body. And it will bring a great deal of unbelievable technologies in all domains of life,” Peres said.
“Israel has a strong tradition of putting science and technology at the forefront of its economic development. We know what’s happening around us without knowing what’s happening within us. Brain research is our next big frontier.”
Dr. Rafi Gidron, founder and chairman of IBT, said the Brain Prize will bring together the best minds from around the world “to create the next generation of brain-related innovation, from brain-machine interface and brain-inspired computing to urgently needed solutions for brain disease. It’s a global brain gain. Our aim is to open minds – quite literally.”
IBT executive director Miri Polachek praised Peres for his aim to make Israel a global centre for the advancement of neurotechnology and brain-related treatments.
“We invite others to share this vision, and for innovators around the world to enter the Brain Prize competition, so we can tackle some of the most exciting challenges facing our planet,” Polachek said.
The prize will be awarded at IBT’s Global Brain Technology Conference in 2013 in Israel. Interested contestants can visit www.IsraelBrain.org to receive more information and to apply online.