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.

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 3^rd 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.

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)

Healthy Ageing and Longevity Assembly 2026 Lithuania

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

August 13-15 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – International Longevity Summit Africa (ILSA) 2026 https://www.conference.taffds.org/

September 24-26 – Bucharest, Romania – International Longevity Congress, together with Longevity Expo Forum Fest https://fundatiadanvoiculescu.ro/en/congresul-international-de-longevitate/

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/

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 100^th 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/

2025

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2022

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2020

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2018

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2016

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2015

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2025 BIRAX Ageing (supported by the Ministry of Science)

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2021 BIRAX Ageing (supported by the Ministry of Science)

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2018 BIRAX Ageing (supported by the Ministry of Science)

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Summary 2015-2025

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On May 15, there is a significant date in the longevity world – the 180^th anniversary of the birth of Elie Metchnikoff (15 May 1845 – 15 July 1916) – a Nobel Laureate, a founder of cell immunology, and THE founder of the modern science of aging and longevity – GERONTOLOGY, the person who coined the very term “gerontology” in 1903, and paved the way toward its development, from the recognition of aging as a medical condition, to specific areas of interventions for healthy longevity – such as probiotics and microbiome treatments, immunotherapies of aging (vaccines against aging), general healthy longevity promoting and rejuvenative lifestyle regimens.

https://www.longevityhistory.com/read-the-book-online/#_Toc328319983 

It is beneficial for the proponents of a field to commemorate the field’s founding figures, not just to honor their legacy, but to do some “soul searching” of the successes and failures along the way, and seek ways toward future development and improvement. 

In 2015, on Metchnikoff’s 170^th anniversary, many representatives of the longevity community, in several countries, commemorated Metchnikoff’s contribution, with educational events and publications, creating the special “International Metchnikoff Day” campaign around May 15, which helped build up the longevity community and drew additional interest to the longevity field, including the professional community, general public and the press. See an overview of the “Metchnikoff Day” on his 170^th anniversary on 15 May 2015, and yet another celebration of the Metchnikoff Day on his 175th anniversary around 15 May 2020.

https://www.longevityforall.org/170th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-may-15-2015/ 

https://www.longevityforall.org/anniversary-of-the-founder-of-gerontology-elie-metchnikoff-lessons-from-history-and-hope-for-the-future/

On May 15, 2025, we mark the Metchnikoff Day on his 180^th anniversary. Few special events and publications commemorate this occasion. Many other events and topics command global attention. Yet, this day is an opportunity to encourage the historical evaluation, analyzing and strategizing the longevity field, building the longevity community and drawing additional interest. We can express our gratitude to the historical creators of healthy longevity science and medicine, and boost the hope of emulating and hopefully surpassing their achievements!

https://www.longevityforall.org/happy-metchnikoff-day-may-15-2025-the-180th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology/

In 2025, Vetek Association is a founding partner in organizing several international conferences.
In addition to the main longevity event in Israel – the Longevity Nation conference that will take place in Bar-Ilan University, on October 28-29
https://longevitynation.org/

Registration https://longevitynation.org/register-and-donate/

And community meetups in Israel https://www.longevityisrael.org/meetups/

As well as co-organizing sessions in additional conferences in Israel (Sheba Longevity Conference, Biomed Israel)  https://www.longevityisrael.org/longevity-conferences-and-metchnikoff-day-in-israel-in-may-2025/

And together with the Knesset Lobby for the Geriatric and Nursing Care Population organizing a conference on research, development and education for healthy longevity in Knesset https://www.longevityisrael.org/knesset-conference-on-research-development-and-education-for-healthy-longevity-16-july-2025/

Vetek association is also a major co-organizer of several international conference in Europe, including:

Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16, 2025
GeniiLongevity 2025 (Geneva Insights and Innovations)
https://geniilongevity.com/
At the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG) https://cicg.ch/en/
Registration
https://geniilongevity.com/registration/

Riga, Latvia, on September 16-17, 2025
International Baltic Conference on Healthy Longevity 2025
https://longevitybaltics.org/2025-healthy-longevity-conference/
At the Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia (auditorium 302 “Domus auditorialis” at Zunda krastmala 8, Riga)
https://www.rtu.lv/en
Registration
https://longevitybaltics.org/registration/

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=112202

Registration: www.lrs.lt/registracija

Porto, Portugal, on October 8-9, 2025
NexiiLongevity 2025 (Next Technology Innovation International)
https://nexiilongevity.com/
At the Alfandega Porto Congress Centre
https://www.ccalfandegaporto.com/en/
Registration https://nexiilongevity.com/

Kiev, Kharkiv, Ukraine and online, on November 6-7, 2025.

The 6th Congress of the Historians of Medicine of Ukraine, with international participation, dedicated to the 1000^th anniversary since the publication of Avicenna’s “Canon of Medicine” (1025-2025), including the history of biomedical interventions into aging-related ill health and for healthy longevity.

Bucharest, Romania, on November 11-13, 2025

International Longevity Congress and the Longevity Expo Forum Fest

https://fundatiadanvoiculescu.ro/en/congresul-international-de-longevitate/

At Location: National Library of Romania, Bucharest, 22 Unirii Boulevard

Acasă

Thanks to all the involved!

Looking forward to joining forces for our common goal of promoting healthy longevity for all!

In addition to the regular meetups organized by Vetek association

Meetups

in May, there will take place significant longevity conferences, with a strong participation of Vetek Association, including:

Sheba Longevity conference on May 7-8, where a representative of Vetek association will present on  “Longevity landscape in Israel”  and lead a panel on “Longevity Innovation in Israel”

https://longevity.sheba.co.il/

And a satellite event on healthy longevity research, development and education at the Biomed Israel conference in Tel Aviv, on May 21, organized by Vetek association

Satellite Events

May 2025 is a special month in longevity research history – the 180th anniversary of the founder of Gerontology – Elie Metchnikoff (15 May 1845 – 15 July 1916), which Vetek association also marks and promotes.

https://www.longevityforall.org/180th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-may-15-2025

https://www.longevityhistory.com/180th-anniversary-of-elie-metchnikoff-the-founder-of-gerontology-may-15-2025/

For Vetek association, the events in May are in the preparation for the main event organized by the Vetek association – the Longevity Nation conference, on October 28-29, in Bar-Ilan University

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