Bar-Ilan University is Israel's second largest research university, located in Ramat Gan. Founded in 1955, BIU encompasses 8 faculties and over 70 research institutes and centers, employing some 700 researchers. Relevant to the blue economy ecosystem, BIU researchers have contributed to marine microbiology, biogeochemistry, and algal ecology, and the university has served as an academic home for several marine scientists now working at IOLR and the University of Haifa. BIU is also involved in agri-food innovation, nanotechnology, and life sciences research with applications in sustainable aquaculture.