המחקר המדעי והישגיו אינם עוד עניין אינטלקטואלי מופשט בלבד... אלא גורם מרכזי... בחיי עם תרבותי... - דוד בן גוריון, תשכ"ב
"Scientific research and its achievements are no longer merely an abstract intellectual pursuit... but a central factor... in the life of every civilized people..." (David Ben-Gurion, 1962)
Like many other small countries, Israel has sharply defined scientific and technological policies aimed at enhancing its competitive position. In science, it encourages the establishment of centers of excellence around outstanding scientists, while maintaining a level of quality across the broad spectrum of scientific fields. In technology, Israel strives for high performance through concentration on a limited number of areas.
The percentage of Israelis engaged in scientific and technological inquiry, and the amount spent on research and development (R&D), in relation to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), are among the highest in the world.