Space Florida and Israel Innovation Authority Announce Fourth Joint Call for Projects

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fl. (August 2, 2016) – Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority (OCS) have issued a new joint call for project proposals worth $2million in R&D funding.

This is the fourth year that Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority (OCS) are conducting the competition. In October 2013, Florida and Israel initiated an annually recurring $2 million joint program to support research, development and commercialization of aerospace and related technology projects that benefit both Israel and the State of Florida. The projects approved to date encompass a wide range of promising research, including innovative radiation shielding technology, next-generation capacitors to power spacecraft, and identifying specific changes in human muscle and immune cells to model disease in reduced gravity environments.

Israeli and Florida-based for-profit companies are asked to present cooperative proposals, which will be vetted for feasibility. Funding will be awarded to those companies demonstrating promising partnerships and near-term potential for commercialization and economic benefit to both states.

Applying teams must submit a completed application, including a Bi-Lateral Cooperation form that describes the project and the collaboration envisioned between the Florida company and the Israeli company. Applications open on August 2, 2016, and are due to Space Florida and Israel Innovation Authority (OCS) no later than February 1, 2017.

The applications are independently evaluated and scored by Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority (OCS), which then jointly agree which applications will be funded. Applicants must present a proposal that incorporates joint R&D projects in any of the following technological fields: - Satellite Communication - Small Satellite Technology and Small Launch Vehicles - Space Research Related Sensor Technology (including bio-sensors) - Nano-Materials and Coatings for Space Applications - Electric Power Resources for Space Applications - Microgravity Research related to Human Life Sciences - Unmanned Aerial Systems - Nano-, Flex- and Low-Power Electronics - Micro- and Nano-Robotics - And other Space and Aerospace-Related Research

“I am pleased to announce another exciting round of proposals in our continued partnership with the Israel Innovation Authority,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “Each year, this program generates stronger partnerships between the State of Florida and the State of Israel, and positively benefits the economies of each State. I look forward to this fourth round, and all the participating companies have to offer.”

"I am glad that the bilateral innovation program with Florida is announcing a new call for proposals,” said Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy of the State of Israel and Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority Avi Hasson. “Based on the great success of the previous rounds and the significant partnerships they yielded, it will definitely advance the innovation links between the aerospace industries of both states.” More information can be found on the Space Florida Website at www.spaceflorida.gov/israelpartnership.