Research Impact

Beyond Academic Output: Our Profound Influence

While most of the 95 projects have yielded impactful scientific publications in top-tier conferences and journals, this academic output, though valuable, pales in comparison to the profound, long-term directional influence of our funding and outreach efforts.

Steering Talent in Digital Trust

Indeed, our grants have been instrumental in guiding over 200 graduate students toward progressively advanced research in digital trust. Crucially, without the funding and outreach by the Blavatnik ICRC, none of these professors or students would have been working on research related to future cybersecurity, privacy, or AI security. Internal competition for talent is ever-present; university professors worldwide constantly seek external funding to train Master's and Doctoral candidates. Without our specific focus, these teams would have pursued other grants, whether in financial technology, climate change, or whatever else was offered by funding organizations in the market.

Strategic Impact on Israel's Talent Trajectory

Our concerted effort to showcase cybersecurity as an interesting, socially vital, and interdisciplinary research area has been undeniably successful. Involving 200 graduate students at TAU represents a major impact. It not only advances critical scientific applications but also strategically shapes Israel’s long-term talent trajectory in this vital field. By engaging their professors with substantial grant opportunities, these students have immersed themselves in the digital trust applications of basic sciences. Our grants provided the necessary resources and focus across STEM, social, behavioral, and managerial disciplines.

Cultivating a Future R&D Backbone

Over the mid- to long term, this steady pipeline of experts, dedicated to fortifying the digital landscape, will become the backbone of R&D in academia and industry in both the U.S. and Israel. The first individuals of this 200-strong cumulative cohort are already entering tenure-track positions in engineering and business administration schools, with more to follow. Regardless of their professional affiliation, all will carry an ingrained awareness of digital trust implications. This represents a profound and lasting influence, clearly demonstrating the significant achievements we set out to accomplish. Today, with the funding having ceased, we are once again witnessing the central role other funding organizations play in shaping the next generation of talent.