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Healthy Ageing and Longevity Assembly 2026 Lithuania

Healthy Ageing & Longevity Assembly 2026 Lithuania

Aims

Building on the ideas and conclusions of the international conference “Towards Healthy Longevity,” held in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on 19 September 2025, the next stage – the “Healthy Ageing and Longevity Assembly 2026,” will take place on 8–14 June 2026 in Lithuania.

This Assembly aims to become an international platform, bringing together Lithuanian as well as European and global experts, institutions, international organizations, academics, and social partners to jointly shape a sustainable vision for health, social well-being, and active ageing in Lithuania, in the EU and partner countries.

The Assembly will encourage dialogue and cooperation between science, policy, health care, social services, education, technology, and business, leading to practical recommendations and partnerships in Lithuania, the European Union, EU partner countries and beyond.

Preliminary Program (To be updated. Details about registration for each event will be published later on)

The Assembly is designed as a series of events, each with a slightly different focus, altogether encompassing and stimulating the entire healthy aging and longevity ecosystem:

Monday, 8 June 2026

Opening press conference in the Lithuanian Parliament – the Seimas, Vilnius.

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

International conference “Healthy Longevity Medicine: Clinical Practice and Prevention”

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), Kaunas.

The program will present the most advanced practical experience and knowledge in the field of healthy longevity medicine, primarily for physicians and healthcare professionals.

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Longevity Science in Communities and Study Visits

Community events in various locations across Lithuania – in Vilnius, Kaunas, other cities (TBC). Informal public meetings aimed at promoting healthy ageing and longevity.

Thursday, 11 June 2026

International scientific conference “Science of Ageing and Longevity: from fundamental research to implementation”

Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LMA), Vilnius.

Aim: To inform the broader scientific community and decision-makers about the current state of longevity science in Lithuania and globally, and to outline further directions for developing this field in Lithuania. Focus: the latest advances in ageing and longevity science – primarily for researchers and students.

Friday, 12 June 2026

High-Level Policy Forum “Health In All Policies

Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Vilnius.

Focus: New policies and programs for the development of healthy longevity in Lithuania and internationally – for researchers, health professionals, decision-makers and the public interested in promoting healthy longevity.

Objectives:

  • Position health as a horizontal government priority and a criterion in major policy decisions.
  • Agree on practical mechanisms for Health in All Policies, including ex ante and ex post health impact assessment.
  • Identify priority policy areas for 2026–2030 where cross-sector action can deliver the largest gains in healthy life years.
  • Strengthen prevention, early intervention, research and development,  as investments that deliver measurable social and economic returns.

Saturday–Sunday, 13–14 June 2026

Innovation and Partnership Weekend

Weekend events at Lithuanian resort areas, cities, and communities, including at Eglės Sanatorija in Birštonas, showcasing new health technologies and therapies, practical workshops, and opportunities for partnership-building among participants.

Organisers and Partners (to be expanded)

  • Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
  • Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania
  • Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
  • Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
  • Vilnius University

International Partners (to be expanded) Proud that Vetek (Seniority) Association is among the partners

  • Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life
  • International Longevity Alliance (ILA)
  • Longevity Alliance Baltic
  • Disabled, Not Half a Person
  • Embassy of Israel in Lithuania

 

Vetek Association 2025

2025 was a productive year for Vetek Association in our activities to promote research, development and education for healthy longevity.

In 2025, despite the difficult situation in Israel, there were established 3 (three) grant support programs for aging and longevity research in Israel and in cooperation with Israel, with open calls for research proposals on aging and longevity published: by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology; the Ministry of Health; and the British Council in Israel. We are proud that these grant support programs and calls for research proposals were established in a large measure thanks to the promotional and educational efforts, also by Vetek Association that encouraged and helped formulate these support programs and calls for proposals. Altogether the support should be about 5 million USD (or about 15 million NIS) subject to budget availability. The exact figures of support will be known later on. Vetek association also advocated with several other ministries in Israel for the healthy longevity cause, as the subject is relevant for all.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/grant-support-programs-for-aging-and-longevity-research-established-in-israel-in-2025/

In 2025, Vetek association was a leading partner in organizing 6 international conferences on healthy longevity: in Geneva, Switzerland; Riga, Latvia; Vilnius, Lithuania (in the Lithuanian Parliament – the Seimas); Porto, Portugal; Bucharest, Romania; and the flagship international conference of Vetek Association, the central longevity conference in Israel – Longevity Nation, in Bar-Ilan University.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/vetek-associaiton-an-organizer-of-international-conferences-in-2025/

All these conferences were accompanied by a considerable press coverage, promoting the healthy longevity cause.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/press/

More international conferences are planned for 2026, co-organized by Vetek association: in Davos, Switzerland; Kaunas and Vilnius, Lithuania; Frankfurt, Germany, and the next Longevity Nation conference in Israel, in Bar-Ilan University.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/vetek-associaiton-an-organizer-of-international-conferences-in-2026/

In addition, in 2025, Vetek association organized a series of meetups to build up the Israeli longevity community, as well as co-organized sessions in additional conferences in Israel (Sheba Longevity Conference, Biomed Israel) and together with the Knesset Lobby for the Geriatric and Nursing Care population organized a conference on research, development and education for healthy longevity in Knesset.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/vetek-associaiton-an-organizer-of-international-conferences-in-2025/

In addition, in 2025, scientific works appeared with Vetek Association’s affiliation, such as works on the politics of the longevity dividend, in the Biopolitics of Human Enhancement.

https://www.longevityhistory.com/about-the-author/

Also in 2025, the book “Healthy Longevity: Policies and Practices” was completed (to be published in 2026) under the editorship and including 5 chapters with Vetek Association’s affiliation.

https://longevityalliance.org/new/healthy-longevity-policies-and-practices/

While promoting longevity research, development and education in Israel, Vetek Association also has been an active participant in the international longevity community and advanced international cooperation. Thus, Vetek Association has been an active federated member organization of the International Longevity Alliance (ILA) that in 2025 grew to 75 member organizations working in 65 countries.

https://longevityalliance.org/members/

Vetek Association encouraged further international cooperation programs. This is work in progress.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/international-cooperation/

Hoping for a productive Year 2026 that will further advance healthy longevity for all.

Grant support programs for aging and longevity research established in Israel in 2025

We are happy to report that in 2025, despite the difficult situation in Israel, there were established 3 (three) grant support programs for aging and longevity research in Israel and in cooperation with Israel, with open calls for research proposals on aging and longevity published: by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology; the Ministry of Health; and the British Council in Israel.

We are proud that these grant support programs and calls for research proposals were established in a large measure thanks to the promotional and educational efforts, also by Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life, that encouraged and helped formulate these support programs and calls for proposals.

Altogether the support should be about 5 million USD (or about 15 million NIS) subject to budget availability. The exact figures of support will be known later on.

Hopefully, there will be established more funding sources for the vital field of healthy aging and longevity research, in Israel and internationally. Hopefully also, these successfully established programs, in a large measure resulting thanks to longevity advocacy, will encourage additional advocacy efforts and resulting support program in Israel and Internationally. In the name of Vetek Association, we will continue to work to promote the establishment of such funding sources and their dissemination.

Below are some initial details on the grant support programs and calls for research proposals. More details can be found in the corresponding links below.

1. Grant support program by the Israel Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology

On January 1, 2025, the Israel Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology published the National Call for Research Proposals, including the subject of “Healthy Aging”.

In this call, the total budget is up to NIS 45 million, with the maximum budget for each proposal in all areas being up to NIS 500,000 [~155,000 USD] for a period of three years.

The deadline for pre-proposals was by February 12, 2025.

In the call for proposals, in the “Healthy Aging” category, emphasis is placed on medical devices, algorithms and calculation and measurement techniques, and sensors. This call does not include basic research and research into mechanisms or initial identification of diseases.

Healthy Aging is included into the Israel national call for research proposals by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology

https://www.longevityisrael.org/healthy-aging-is-included-into-the-israel-national-call-for-research-proposals-by-the-ministry-of-innovation-science-and-technology/

This is a continuation of a series of grant support programs for aging research by the Ministry of Science, in previous years, that were also partly encouraged and formulated with the assistance of Vetek Association. 

Calls for Research Proposals on Aging by the Israel Ministry of Science

https://www.longevityisrael.org/calls-for-research-proposals-on-aging-by-the-israel-ministry-of-science/

2. Grant support program by the Israel Ministry of Health, Office of the Chief Scientist

On September 17, the Israel Ministry of Health (Office of the Chief Scientist) published the Call for Research Proposals on the Subject of Increasing Healthy Life Expectancy, Including Prevention, Delay, and Treatment of Diseases of Old Age

Within the framework of this call, proposals are accepted for funding up to three translational and clinical studies in the amount of up to 470,000 NIS [~145,000 USD] spread over three years in one or more of the following areas:

1 – Diagnosis, early detection and prediction of aging damage and aging-related diseases

2 – Prevention, Delay and Treatment

Applications of pre-proposals were submitted by 19.11.2025.

Call for research proposals on aging by the Israel Ministry of Health

https://www.longevityisrael.org/call-for-research-proposals-on-aging-by-the-israel-ministry-of-health/

3. Grant Support Program by the British Council in Israel, with the support of the UK and Israeli governments and private foundations

On November 13, the British Council in Israel published the Call for Proposals of the Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership on Healthy Ageing (BIRAX Healthy Ageing) 

BIRAX is an initiative investing in world-leading research jointly undertaken by scientists in the UK and Israel. In the first 2 calls for proposals, 13 projects were funded, totaling £5.2 million (~7 million USD – £2.8 million in the first call and £2.4 million in the second call) that were granted to projects focusing on ageing and its impact on human health.

In the present 3rd call, grants will be awarded for a period of three years, with a maximum value of £400,000 (~500,000 USD) per project.

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 1 March 2026 at 21:59 (UK Time) / 23:59 (Israel Time).

Particularly welcome are proposals that explore: 1) Biological mechanisms of ageing, including disease susceptibility, prevention, and mitigation; 2) Precision medicine, including prediction of risk and early intervention at the individual level; 3) Wellbeing interventions including nutrition, mobility preservation and social participation.

BIRAX Healthy Ageing Call for Research Proposals 2025

https://www.longevityisrael.org/birax-healthy-ageing-call-for-research-proposals-2025/

Hopefully, further necessary support will be granted to the critical research enabling healthy and productive longevity for all. We will continue our efforts to contribute toward this purpose.

Vetek Associaiton – an organizer of international conferences in 2026

In 2026, Vetek (Seniority) Association – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life plans to continue to be strongly involved in longevity community building in Israel and internationally, in cooperation with Israel.

A major instrument for community building is conferences, that are effective for raising public awareness and outreach, bringing stakeholders together, enhancing education and establishing collaborations and support programs.

We are proud that in 2025, Vetek Association co-organized at least 7 large international longevity conferences in 7 countries: in Israel (the Longevity Nation conference – Israel’s main longevity conference), as well as in Geneva (Switzerland), Riga (Latvia), Vilnius (Lithuania, in the Lithuanian Parliament), Porto (Portugal), Kiev (Ukraine) and Bucharest (Romania). 

Vetek Associaiton – an organizer of international conferences in 2025

And for 2026, in addition to Longevity Nation 2026 (that is planned in Israel, in Bar-Ilan University, on November 23-24) there are already several additional international conferences planned in cooperation with Vetek Association.

Welcome to suggest to Vetek Association additional partnerships in co-organizing international longevity conferences.

You are also welcome to suggest partnerships and sponsorships for the conferences that we are already co-organizing.

In 2026, Vetek Association is a major partner in co-organizing the following longevity conferences:

January 22 – Davos, Switzerland – Future Health Forum https://futurehealthforum.org/  

June 9-12 – Kaunas-Vilnius, Lithuania – Healthy Aging and Longevity Assembly (Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas, open air event in Vilnius, Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, The Lithuanian Parliament – Seimas in Vilnius)

https://longevitybaltics.org/healthy-ageing-and-longevity-assembly/

October 16-17 – Frankfurt, Germany – Longevity Goes Business https://lgoesb.com/  

November 23-24 – Tel Aviv (Bar-Ilan University), Israel – Longevity Nation https://longevitynation.org/

 

 

Longevity Nation 2026 – Bar-Ilan University – 23-24 November 2026

We are happy to share that the next Longevity Nation conference will take place in Israel on November 23-24, 2026. The dates were chosen to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founder of our Vetek Association – The Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life, Rafi Eitan (23 November 1926 – 23 March 2019). The conference is planned to take place in the same venue as in the past years, at Bar-Ilan University (Ramat-Gan, Tel-Aviv district), Nanotechnology Building. Registration is already open. https://longevitynation.org/

 

BIRAX Healthy Ageing Call for Research Proposals 2025

We are happy to transmit that the Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange Partnership on Healthy Ageing (BIRAX Healthy Ageing) Call for Research Proposals 2025 is now officially open for applications!

https://www.britishcouncil.org.il/en/birax/call-for-proposals

BIRAX is an initiative of the British Council and the British Embassy in Israel together with the Pears Foundation, investing in world-leading research jointly undertaken by scientists in the UK and Israel. BIRAX have awarded 32 research projects to date, investing over £12.5 million via five calls for proposals. Out of these, 13 projects totalling £5.2 million (~7 million USD), were granted to projects focusing on ageing and its impact on human health.

This new call for research proposals builds on previous calls and has been designed to address one of today’s most pressing global challenges: Healthy Ageing. The call invites research proposals submitted jointly by scientists based in the UK and Israel, aiming to advance our understanding of ageing and its impact on human health and wellbeing. (Scientists not based in the UK or Israel, in addition to the UK and Israeli PI’s, may also participate if they are fully self-funded, but they are not eligible to receive BIRAX funding.)

Grants will be awarded for a period of three years, with a maximum value of £400,000 per project. Please note that the final grant amount awarded to individual projects will be subject to the availability of funds.

Deadline for applications: Sunday, 1 March 2026 at 21:59 (UK Time) / 23:59 (Israel Time).

Particularly welcome are proposals that explore: 1) Biological mechanisms of ageing, including disease susceptibility, prevention, and mitigation; 2) Precision medicine, including prediction of risk and early intervention at the individual level; 3) Wellbeing interventions including nutrition, mobility preservation and social participation.

Specific research priorities include: 1) Research focused on women; 2) Pharmaceutical Research; 3) Interdisciplinary Research; 4) Big Data, Deep Learning & AI; 5) Translational and/or Personalised Medicine.

Eligible Subject Areas include: 1) Age-related Multimorbidity;  2) Cardiovascular Disease; 3) Ageing and Diabetes; 4) Neurodegenerative Diseases; 5) Age-related Research Conditions Centred on Women; 6) Age-related Frailty and Other Geriatric Syndromes; 7) Interventions in Nutrition or Physical activity for Healthier Ageing, focusing on wellbeing interventions and preventive measures to promote healthy ageing and prevent age-related diseases, including a) Physical Exercise and Nutrition; b) Environmental Impact on Health; c) Diagnostics in Digital Health; d) Mental Health.

Please note that this call is for preliminary proposals. Please note that all shortlisted Preliminary Proposals will be invited to submit a Full Proposal. Projects will be selected for funding only at the Full Proposal stage.

The following timeline will apply: Deadline for Preliminary Proposals – 1 March 2026; Notification of Academic Selection Panel’s shortlisted proposals – March 2026; Deadline for Full Proposals – End of June 2026; Final Academic Selection Panel results (Full Proposals) – November-December 2026; Announcement of funded projects – December 2026.

More information, including the full call for proposals, and accompanying explanations and instructions documents can be found in this link:

https://www.britishcouncil.org.il/en/birax/call-for-proposals

Welcome to spread the word about this call for proposals to more people who may derive benefit from it!

Also for your reference, here is some history about the 1st and 2nd BIRAX Ageing Calls for Proposals – in 2018 and 2021.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/second-call-for-proposals-britain-israel-research-and-academic-exchange-partnership-on-ageing-birax-ageing/

Good luck to all the applicants! Looking forward to this program’s positive impact for healthy longevity!

Sincerely,
Ilia Stambler

Chairman. Vetek Association – The Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life.

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Call for research proposals on aging by the Israel Ministry of Health

We are happy to announce that a “Call for Research Proposals for the Addition of Healthy Life Years, Including Prevention, Delay, and Treatment of Aging-related Diseases” has been published by the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israel Ministry of Health.

Below are the details of the call for proposals as published by the Ministry of Health.

On behalf of Vetek (Seniority) Association – The Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life, we would just like to add that increasing funding for research on aging and healthy longevity is a necessary condition for the existence and advancement of the field, for the realization of its positive results for the benefit of all of us. We are happy and proud that the present call for proposals was also encouraged by advocacy and education regarding the importance of promoting healthy longevity and preventing aging-related diseases. We hope for further increasing funding and additional support for this vital field.

Below are the details of the Call for Research Proposal as they were published by the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Health. The call is for Israeli researchers and the instructions are in Hebrew. Yet, this support program can serve as an example and hopefully encourage more support for the aging filed internationally.

Good luck!

Dr. Ilia Stambler

Chairman of Vetek (Seniority) Association – The Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life

אנחנו שמחים לבשר כי פורסם “קול קורא להגשת הצעות למחקרים בנושא תוספת שנות חיים בריאות כולל מניעה, עיכוב וטיפול במחלות הזקנה” מטעם לשכת המדען הראשי של משרד הבריאות.

להלן פרטי קול הקורא כפי שפורסמו על ידי משרד הבריאות.

בשם עמותת “ותק – התנועה לאיכות ואריכות חיים” רק נוסיף כי גידול המימון למחקר בתחום הזקנה ואריכות חיים בריאים הוא תנאי הכרחי לקיום ולקידום התחום ולמימוש תוצאותיו החיוביות לטובת כולנו. אנו שמחים וגאים כי גם קול הקורא הנוכחי עודד על ידי סינגור והסברה לגבי חשיבות קידום אריכות חיים בריאים ומניעת מחלות זקנה. נקווה להגברות מימון ותמיכות נוספות לתחום חיוני זה.

בהצלחה!

ד”ר איליה סטמבלר

יו”ר עמותת ותק – התנועה לאיכות ואריכות חיים

ולהלן ההודעה שהופצה לרשויות המחקר, ופרטי קול הוקרא, מטעם לשכת המדען הראשי של משרד הבריאות:

אל מנהלי בתי החולים וראשי רשויות המחקר

נא ראו הודעה זו בדבר קול קורא בנושא: תוספת שנות חיים בריאות כולל מניעה, עיכוב וטיפול במחלות הזקנה.

מועד אחרון להגשה: יום רביעי, 19.11.25 בשעה 12:00.

נא הפיצו במוסדכם.

בהצלחה,

המחלקה למחקר רפואי. לשכת המדען הראשי

קול קורא להגשת הצעות למחקרים בנושא תוספת שנות חיים בריאות כולל מניעה, עיכוב וטיפול במחלות הזקנה
כללי
לשכת המדען הראשי של משרד הבריאות תומכת במחקר רפואי תרגומי המבוצע על יד חוקרים
במוסדות האקדמיים השונים.
אנו שמחים לפרסם קול קורא למענקי מחקר רפואי תרגומי העוסק בתהליכי ההזדקנות ובמחלות
הקשורות בהזדקנות.
במסגרת קול קורא זה, תתקבלנה הצעות למימון של עד שלושה מחקרים תרגומי ים-קליניים בגובה של עד 470000 ₪ הפרוסים לשלוש שנים באחד או יותר מן התחומים הבאים:

1 – אבחון, גילוי מוקדם וניבוי של נזקי הזדקנות ומחלות תלויות גיל
תתקבלנה הצעות מחקר שתבחנה מדדים לאבחון, גילוי מוקדם וניבוי של מחלות תלויות גיל בודדות (כגון דמנציה, COPD ואוסטאופורוזיס) או של מכלול מחלות ובעיו ת הקשורות להזדקנות, כולל מולטי-מורבידיות, שבריריות וגיל פיזיולוגי מוגבר.
עדיפות תינתן למדדים המשלבים סוגים שונים ורמות שונות של פרמטרים והשואפים לסינתזה וסינרגיה.
הצעות המחקר תכלולנה פרמטרים בודדים ושילוביהם, שיטות וטכנולוגיות מדידה, יכולות חישוביות ואלגוריתמים חדשניים. בנוסף למדדים המשמשים לאבחון, גילוי מוקדם וניבוי דסקריפטיבי , תינתן עדיפות לחקר מדדים שעשויים לשמש כלי לאבחון התאמה אישית, יעילות ובטיחות טיפולים קונקרטיים למטופלים מזדקנים וקשישים או שכבר משמשים ככלי כזה ומעידים על יעילות ובטיחות הטיפול. ההצעות חייבות להראות קשר ברור וספציפי למטופלים מזדקנים וקשישים, ולתהליכי הזדקנות וחייבות להדגים כיצד הן עשויות לייעל, לשפר ולחזק את מערכת הבריאות.
2 – מניעה, עיכוב וטיפול
תתקבלנה הצעות מחקר אשר תבחנה שיטות רפואיות חדשניות למניעה, עיכוב וטיפול בתחלואת
ההזדקנות הכללית (מולטי-מורבידיות או קו-מורבידיות) הרווחת אצל מטופלים קשישים, ועל מחלות תלויות גיל ספציפיות. שיטות ההתערבות, טיפול ומניעה, יכולות לכלול אמצעים תרופתיים, אמצעים של רפואה רגנרטיבית, טכנולוגיות רפואיות ומשטרי בריאות ואורח חיים המותאמים באופן ספציפי לאדם המזדקן והקשיש. מטרת ההתערבויות תהיה מניעת מחלות זקנה והארכת תוחלת החיים הבריאה. עדיפות תינתן למחקר שיפתח קריטריונים לבחינת יעילות ובטיחות הטיפולים המונעים, יספק ראיות ליעילותם ובטיחותם של טיפולים כאלה, ויצביע על דרכים ושיטות לייעל את הטיפולים לתחלואת ההזדקנות – מרמת הפרט עד לרמת האוכלוסייה ומערכת הבריאות.
בנוסף תתקבלנה הצעות מחקר אשר תבחנה שיטות טיפול ומניעת בעיות רפואיות נלוות להזדקנות, כולל שבריריות ותלות סיעודית, ותסמונות גריאטריות אחרות, כגון ירידה תפקודית, כיבי לחץ, בריחת שתן ונפילות, תסמונת מטבולית, כשל חיסוני, סרקופניה, קשיי הסתגלות, תסמונות מצוקת נשימה ועוד.
תידרש התייחסות למינונים, אינטראקציות ותנאי טיפול שונים , היענות (COMPLIANCE) והתמדה (ADHERENCE) בטיפול, אורח החיים ומשטר הבריאות, ושינויים מערכתיי ם ושינויים לטווח ארוך, המיוחדים למטופלים המזדקנים והקשישים. שיטות המחקר תכלולנה את כלל הרמות, מהרמה המולקולרית ועד לרמה המערכתית, הסביבתית והחברתית, כולל השפעות פרה-קליניות וקליניות, אולם על המחקר להראות רלוונטיות ספציפית לתהליך ההזדקנות ולמטופלים מזדקנים וקשישים. עדיפות תינתן למחקר תרגומי- קליני שיכול לשמש ולשפר את מערכת הבריאות.
זכאות
רופאים/ות וחוקרים/ות בעלי תואר MD, PhD, DMD, DVM או מקבילים מבתי חולים, מרפאות, מעבדות ומוסדות מחקר אקדמיים וציבוריים המוכרים בארץ .
ניתן להגיש בקשת מימון אחת בלבד ובכל מקרה לא יתאפשר כפל מימון. חוקר שיש לו מענק מחקר פעיל בלשכת המדען הראשי יהיה זכאי להגיש בקשה חדשה אך ורק אם תתאפשר הגשת דוחות מחקר סופיים עד ל 1.12.2025 .
הגשת בקשות
יש להגיש את הבקשות בטופס האלקטרוני על פי ההנחיות :

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/service/research-grant-application/he/subjects_Health-research_instructions_electronic.pdf

בשלב ראשון תוגש בקשה מקדימה מקוצרת .
יש לבחור בקול הקורא: “זקנה”. כמו כן, יש לשלוח עותק חתום של הבקשה בדואר כפי שמפורט בהנחיות .
את הבקשות יש להגיש עד לתאריך ה- 19.11.2025 בשעה 12:00 .
בנוסף, יש לשלוח את החומר מודפס וחתום על ידי רשות המחקר אל: לשכת המדען הראשי, רח’ ירמיהו 39 ,ת.ד. 1176 ,ירושלים 9101002 .
על חותמת הדואר לשאת תאריך שאינו מאוחר מ – 26.11.2025 .
תהליך השיפוט
בשלב הראשון יתבצע הן סינון לקביעת ההתאמה לקול הקורא והן בחירת בקשות מקדימות בעלות
פוטנציאל גבוה. רק בקשות מקדימות, אשר תעמודנה בתנאים ותמצאנה מתאימות לקול הקורא ולקרן המדען הראשי ושנמצאו מצויינות תוזמנה להגשת בקשת מחקר מלאה.
להגשת בקשה מלאה יוזמנו כ 15-20 בקשות מקדימות.
וועדת השיפוט רשאית לדחות בקשה בכל אחד משלבי השיפוט השונים מנימוקים מדעיים או
אדמיניסטרטיביים או על בסיס של חוסר התאמה לקול הקורא .
בשלב הסופי, ועדת השיפוט תדרג את הבקשות בסדר יורד, מהגבוה לנמוך , ועל סמך התקציב שיעמוד לרשות המדען לצורך זה.
החלטה
גובה המענקים ומספרם עשוי להשתנות בהתאם לשיקולים שונים.
חתימת חוזה מחקר חתימת חוזה מחקר תתבצע לאחר מסירת האישורים הביו-אתיים התקפי ם אישורם בלשכת המדען הראשי, ובכפוף לזמינות התקציב אשר יעמוד לרשות המדען הראשי של משרד הבריאות בעת ההחלטה.
ככל שלא יוצג אישור ביו-אתי מתאים ארבעה חודשים מיום מכתב האישור, לשכת המדען לא מתחייבת לשמור את מענק המחקר.
בשאלות ניתן לפנות לגב’ שטערנא כהן: sterna.cohen1@moh.gov.il

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English translation (not official)

Call for research proposals on the subject of increasing healthy life expectancy, including prevention, delay, and treatment of diseases of old age

General

The Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Health supports translational medical research conducted by researchers at various academic institutions.

We are pleased to announce a call for grants for translational medical research dealing with the aging process and diseases related to aging.

Within the framework of this call, proposals will be accepted for funding up to three translational and clinical studies in the amount of up to 470,000 NIS spread over three years in one or more of the following areas:

1 – Diagnosis, early detection and prediction of aging damage and age-related diseases

Research proposals will be accepted that will examine indicators for the diagnosis, early detection and prediction of individual age-related diseases (such as dementia, COPD and osteoporosis) or of a range of diseases and problems related to aging, including multimorbidity, frailty and increased physiological age.

Priority will be given to indicators that combine different types and levels of parameters and strive for synthesis and synergy.

Research proposals will include individual parameters and their combinations, measurement methods and technologies, computational capabilities and innovative algorithms. In addition to indicators used for diagnosis, early detection and descriptive prediction, priority will be given to research on indicators that may serve as a tool for diagnosing the personalization, effectiveness and safety of concrete treatments for aging and elderly patients or that are already used as such a tool and indicate the effectiveness and safety of treatment. Proposals must show a clear and specific connection to aging and elderly patients, and to aging processes and must demonstrate how they may streamline, improve and strengthen the health system.

2 – Prevention, Delay and Treatment

Research proposals will be accepted that will examine innovative medical methods for the prevention, delay and treatment of the general aging disease (multi-morbidity or co-morbidity) prevalent in elderly patients, and for specific age-related diseases. Interventions, treatment and prevention, may include pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, medical technologies, and health and lifestyle regimens specifically tailored to the aging and elderly. The goal of interventions will be to prevent diseases of old age and extend healthy life expectancy. Priority will be given to research that develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of preventive treatments, provides evidence for the effectiveness and safety of such treatments, and indicates ways and methods to optimize treatments for the diseases of aging – from the individual level to the population and health system level.

In addition, research proposals will be accepted that will examine methods of treating and preventing medical problems associated with aging, including frailty and nursing dependency, and other geriatric syndromes, such as functional decline, pressure ulcers, urinary incontinence and falls, metabolic syndrome, immune failure, sarcopenia, adaptation difficulties, respiratory distress syndromes, and more.

Consideration will be required of dosages, interactions and various treatment conditions, compliance and adherence in treatment, lifestyle and health regimens, and systemic and long-term changes, specific to aging and elderly patients. Research methods will include all levels, from the molecular level to the systemic, environmental and social levels, including preclinical and clinical effects, but the research must show specific relevance to the aging process and aging and elderly patients. Priority will be given to translational-clinical research that can be used to improve the health system.

Eligibility

Doctors and researchers with an MD, PhD, DMD, DVM or equivalent degree from hospitals, clinics, laboratories and academic and public research institutions recognized in Israel.

Only one funding application may be submitted, and in any case, double funding will not be allowed. A researcher who has an active research grant from the Office of the Chief Scientist will be eligible to submit a new application only if it is possible to submit final research reports by 1.12.2025.

Submission of applications

Applications must be submitted in the electronic form according to the instructions:

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/service/research-grant-application/he/subjects_Health-research_instructions_electronic.pdf

In the first stage, an abbreviated preliminary application will be submitted.

The subject must be chosen by the call: “Old age”. In addition, a signed copy of the application must be sent by mail as specified in the guidelines.

Applications must be submitted by 19.11.2025 at 12:00.

In addition, the printed and signed material by the Research Authority must be sent to: Office of the Chief Scientist, 39 Yermiyahu St., P.O. Box 1176, Jerusalem 9101002.

The postmark must bear a date no later than 26.11.2025.

The judging process

In the first stage, both a screening to determine suitability for the call for proposals and a selection of preliminary applications with high potential will be carried out. Only preliminary applications that meet the conditions and are found to be suitable for the call for proposals and the Chief Scientist Foundation and that are found to be excellent will be invited to submit a full research application.

Approximately 15-20 preliminary applications will be invited to submit a full application.

The judging committee may reject an application at any of the various judging stages for scientific or administrative reasons or on the basis of incompatibility with the calls for proposals.

In the final stage, the judging committee will rank the applications in descending order, from highest to lowest, and based on the budget available to the scientist for this purpose.

Decision

The amount of the grants and their number may vary depending on various considerations.

Signing of a research contract

The signing of a research contract will take place after the submission of the valid bioethical approvals and their approval by the Office of the Chief Scientist, and subject to the availability of the budget that will be available to the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Health at the time of the decision.

If an appropriate bioethical approval is not presented four months from the date of the approval letter, the Office of the Scientist does not undertake to maintain the research grant.

Longevity Dividend for Israel

Longevity Dividend for Israel from enhancing research, development and education for healthy longevity and prevention of aging-related diseases

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The “Longevity Dividend” concept, primarily developed by Prof. Jay Olshansky of the University of Chicago and Prof. Dana Goldman’s group at the University of Southern California, argues for the need to enhance biomedical research of aging. Principally, the Longevity Dividend concept argues that the therapeutic technologies that would be developed by biomedical research of aging should enable us to directly intervene into the aging process and thus prevent multiple aging-related diseases and thus extend healthy longevity. This argument is based on the fact that aging is the main risk factor or underlying cause of all chronic non-communicable aging-related diseases and a critical risk factor for communicable infectious diseases. Hence a therapeutic intervention into aging should be able to make a massive improvement in population health by preventing multiple aging-associated diseases and disabilities that have aging as their common determining factor. This increase in the healthy longevity of the population, according to the Longevity Dividend concept, would create massive economic benefits, including benefits for the welfare and healthcare system, saving expenses in these systems by extending the healthy and productive period of life. These savings would subsequently free additional resources for further economic development. Hence, according to the Longevity Dividend concept, there is an urgent need to prioritize the support of biomedical research of aging that would be able to provide such therapeutic and preventive means (Olshansky, 2019; Goldman et al., 2013; Stambler, 2025). These are the main premises of Longevity Medicine and Geroscience, represented by the NIH Geroscience Interest Group, combining the US National Institute on Aging (NIA) and researchers on aging of all the NIH institutes.

The model for the economic benefits or longevity dividend thanks to preventing aging-related ill health is presented in the seminal paper by Jay Olshansky and Dana Goldman’s groups “Substantial health and economic returns from delayed aging may warrant a new focus for medical research”, Health Affairs, 32 (10), 1698–1705, 2013. In that foundational 2013 Health Affairs paper, Dana Goldman and his co-authors estimated the value of delayed aging (corresponding to a year of increasing healthy life expectancy) at $7.1 trillion (discounted present value in $2010) for the US population over age 50 from 2010-2060 (i.e. over the period of 50 years).  This value can be distributed over the 6.88 billion life years lived 2010-2060, which gives a crude average benefit of $1032 per life-year lived. 

At the request of Vetek Association – the Movement for Longevity and Quality of Life, Israel, Dana Goldman’s group performed an approximate calculation of Longevity Dividend for Israel, based on the same assumptions (personal communication to Dr. Ilia Stambler, Dec 2019). According to this calculation, assuming that this benefit holds for Israel and doing a rough estimate of the Israeli population 50 and older over the same time span would give a total benefit of around $75 billion, over the period of 50 years, or $1.5 billion per year (~5.5 billion NIS per year) economic benefit for Israel (Table 1) from a year increase in healthy life expectancy. 

It should be emphasized that this method provides a rough estimate of the order of magnitude. With additional research, it may be possible to refine the calculation and provide a more precise estimate of the economic benefit for Israel that would results from preventing aging-related ill health via enhancing research, development and education for healthy longevity and prevention of multiple aging-related diseases. This research can be performed by establishing an advisory body and relevant calls for research proposals.

Table 1

FEM results (Health Affairs, 2013)

7.10E+12

total benefit

Census estimate

918133151

population 51+ (2010-2017)

Census projections

5960944533

population 51+ (2018-2060)

benefit per life year lived

1032.12

 

Israel 50+ (2010)

1862087

 

Israel 50+ (2060)

4696107

 

Estimate of 50+ life-years (2010-2060)

7.23E+07

 

Total benefit

7.46E+10

 

References

Goldman DP, Cutler D, Rowe JW, Michaud PC, Sullivan J, Peneva D, Olshansky SJ (2013) Substantial health and economic returns from delayed aging may warrant a new focus for medical research, Health Affairs, 32 (10), 1698–1705.

Olshansky SJ (2019) Longevity Dividend, in Dupre M, Gu D (Eds.), Stambler I (Sect. Ed.), Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging, Cham: Springer.

Stambler I (2025), The politics of the Longevity Dividend. How much is healthy longevity worth us? in Umbrello S, Hughes J, Cali C (Eds.) The Biopolitics of Human Enhancement, Berlin: De Gruyter

Vetek Association co-organizes the Longevity Conference in the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) on 19 September 2025

Vilnius, Lithuania, on September 19.

Vetek Association co-organizes the International Conference “Towards Healthy Longevity” in the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas)

https://longevitybaltics.org/seimas-longevity-conference-vilnius-19-september-2025/

Program: https://www.lrs.lt/sip/getFile3?p_fid=113286

Registration: www.lrs.lt/registracija

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This conference in the Lithuanian Parliament in Vilnius, takes places after the 3rd Baltic Conference on Healthy Longevity, in Riga, Latvia, that Vetek Association also co-organizes.

https://longevitybaltics.org/conference-2025/

Conference 2025

As a part of the series of international conferences that Vetek Association co-organizes in 2025.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/vetek-associaiton-an-organizer-of-international-conferences-in-2025/

Vetek Associaiton – an organizer of international conferences in 2025

 

 

Vetek Association Yearly Report 2024

דו”ח הפעילות של עמותת “ותק – התנועה לאיכות ואריכות חיים” לשנת 2024

בשנת 2024 העמותה המשיכה בפעילותה לקידום אריכות ואיכות החיים. התקיימו מגוון פעילויות לקידום מטרות העמותה כמפורט בדו”ח להלן.

השתתפות בכנסים וארגון כנסים 

ב-28-31 באוקטובררץ 2024, בשיתוף התוכנית למדע, טכנולוגיה וחברה של אוניברסיטת בר-אילן, עמותת “ותק – התנועה לאיכות ואריכות חיים” ארגנה כנס בינלאומי בינתחומי באוניברסיטת בר-אילן (שהתקיים באולם ננו-טכנולוגיה) לקידום מחקר, פיתוח וחינוך לאריכות חיים בריאים ומניעת מחלות זקנה – תחת הכותרת “עם אריכות החיים – LONGEVITY NATION”. בכנס השתתפו מעל 100 דוברים באופן פיזי ואונליין, כולל חוקרים מובילים, אנשי ציבור ומובילי דעת קהל מישראל, ארה”ב, אירופה וסין.

https://longevitynation.org

הכנס יצר חשיפה תקשורתית רחבה, בתקשורת הישראלית ובינלאומית. כמו כן, במסגרת הכנס, פורסמה עמדת מומחים לקידום מחקר, פיתוח וחינוך לאריכות חיים בריאים ומניעת מחלות זקנה.

https://longevitynation.org/press/
https://www.longevityisrael.org/press/
העמותה המשיכה בסדרת מפגשים קהילתיים בתל אביב לקידום מחקר, פיתוח וחינוך לקידום אריכות חיים בריאים.

כמו כן, נציגי העמותה השתתפו בארגון ותצוגה במספר כנסים וירטואליים ופיזיים בינלאומיים לקידום אריכות חיים בריאים ומניעת מחלות זקנה, ברובם חברי העמותה השתתפו בארגון והנחיית הכנסים.

פלטפורמה אינטרנטית לקידום האקוסיסטמה של מחקר, פיתוח, תעשיה וחינוך לאריכות חיים בריאים בישראל

בעקבות הכנס “עם אריכות החיים”, עמותת ותק – בשיתוף עם ארגון BGRF הבריטי הרחיבה את הפלטפורמה האינטרנטית האינטראקטיבית לקידום האקוסיסטמה של מחקר, פיתוח וחינוך לאריכות חיים בריאים בישראל – Longevity Industry Ecosystem in Israel . הפלטפורמה הוקמה ע”י העמותה יחד עם ארגון BGRF ב-2023. הפלטפורמה ממפה את הגורמים העיקריים בתחום בישראל, מנתחת אותם, מקשרת ביניהם ויוצרת להם חשיפה אינטרנטית. במקביל עמותת ותק ושותפיה פרסמה דו”ח אנליטי אודות תעשיית אריכות החיים בישראל.
https://www.longevityisrael.info/

שיתופי פעולה בינלאומיים

נמשכו ונקשרו קשרי שותפות ואפיליאציה עם אגודות מקצועית ואקדמיות וארגונים בינלאומיים המובילים בתחום שיפור הבריאות של האדם הזקן, כולל הארגונים שבהם התקיים שיתוף פעולה הדוק בארגון פעילויות משותפות.
בפרט, בשיתוף עם אגודות AFAR, ILA ואחרות העמותה פעלה להקמת שיתוף פעולה בתחום חקר זקנה בין ישראל לארה”ב, ושיתפוי פעולה בינלאומים אחרים, כולל קידום קולות קוראים למחקר משותף.
https://www.longevityisrael.org/international-cooperation/

פרסומים מדעיים

במהלך השנה נציגי העמותה כתבו ופרסמו מאמרים מדעים ופרקים בספרים אקדמיים אודות קידום אריכות חיים בריאים ומניעת מחלות זקנה, בשם העמותה, ובשיתוף עם קבוצות מחקר בארץ ובחו”ל (סין, דרום קוריה, קנדה, רוסיה, האיחוד האירופי, ארה”ב).
https://www.longevityhistory.com/about-the-author/

עוד מאמרים רבים פורסמו על ידי חברי המועצה המדעית של העמותה (בשם האוניברסיטאות שלהם, ולא בשם העמותה). 
https://www.longevityisrael.org/scientific-board/

פרסומים בתקשורת

ב-2024 פעילות העמותה יצרה חשיפה תקשורתית רחבה, שהעלתה מודעות ציבורית לנושאי קידום אריכות חיים בריאים, בארץ ובחו”ל הקשורות לפעילות העמותה.
ובפרט נוצרה חשיפה תקשורתית לכנס LONGEVITY NATION שהעמותה ארגנה באוקטובר 2024. הנה כמה דוגמאות לפרסומים בתקשורת:

https://www.longevityisrael.org/press/

העמותה המשיכה להפיץ חומר חינוכי אודות קידום אריכות חיים בריאים במדיה החברתית ובאתרים שלה

פעילות פרלמנטארית

בעבר עמותת ותק הגיע למספר הצלחות והישגים בקידום מחקר, פיתוח וחינוך לאריכות חיים בריאים ומניעת מחלות זקנה בזירה הפרלמנטרית, כולל הוספת הסעיף, ביוזמת העמותה, אודות “הגברת מחקר, פיתוח וחינוך לקידום אריכות חיים בריאים ומניעת מחלות זקנה” כחלק מ-“תוכנית אב לאומית בתחום הזקנה” שפורסמה ע”י הכנסת ב-2019
https://www.longevityisrael.org/research-development-and-education-for-healthy-longevity-is-included-in-israel-national-masterplan-on-aging/

וכן העמותה עודדה וסייעה בניסוח קולות קוראים בתחום הזקנה לתמיכת חקר ההזדקנות בישראל ושיתוף פעולה עם ישראל – כגון שת”פ בחקר ההזדקנות בין ישראל לבריטניה BIRAX AGEING
https://www.longevityisrael.org/second-call-for-proposals-britain-israel-research-and-academic-exchange-partnership-on-ageing-birax-ageing

גם בשנת 2024 העמותה המשיכה בפעילות זאת. העמותה עודדה הוצאות קולות קוראים בנושא חקר הזקנה במשרדים הרלוונטיים כולל משרד החדשנות, המדע והטכנולוגיה ומשרד הבריאות.

https://www.longevityisrael.org/healthy-aging-is-included-into-the-israel-national-call-for-research-proposals-by-the-ministry-of-innovation-science-and-technology/