JERUSALEM, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched a national program in the field of quantum mechanics, including a fund of 100 million new shekels (about 26.5 million U.S. dollars), the state's Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday.
The program, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Science and the Israel Innovation Authority, will support outstanding research groups at universities in the country that will engage in research and development in quantum science and technology.
The support will be made by grants of 75 million new shekels to researchers.
The grants will be used to finance the research expenses and purchase or upgrade the equipment required for the research. The remaining amount will be directed to the development of the field.
The subjects to be included in the program are quantum computation and communication, simulation by quantum systems, quantum instruments and sensors, quantum material and new quantum technologies.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "the innovative research fund will continue to place Israel at the top of global technology and research."
