Jerusalem, 21 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the Ramon Foundation awarded the prestigious Ramon Award – named for the late Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon – to 20 outstanding young men and women who turned security and personal challenges into significant social and scientific initiatives.
Over the past year, the trainees have undergone an intensive group journey of learning and empowerment, which included leadership workshops, in-depth seminars on issues of identity and Israeli society, a study tour of the Knesset building, and fascinating meetings with decision-makers, senior figures from the public and business sectors, and key figures from the worlds of science, innovation, and space.
As an integral part of the program, the young people were required to identify pressing needs in their environment and translate them into practical, independent initiatives on the ground – from developing technological solutions to establishing inspiring educational, social, and environmental projects.
Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut, was killed in the 2003 space shuttle Columbia disaster.