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

EXPLORATION PARK, FL and JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (September 18, 2019) – Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority (OCS) have issued a new joint call for project proposals valued at $2 million in research and development funding.

This is the seventh 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 the development of next generation 3D printed circuit systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), 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.

In this the 7^th Call for Projects and following the signing in Israel earlier this year by Governor Ron DeSantis, three additional disciplines have been included as research challenges common to both Florida and Israel - Bio-Ag research, Water Issues and Cyber Security.

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 September 18, 2019 and are due to Space Florida and Israel Innovation Authority (OCS) no later than 3 p.m. EST on Monday, February 24, 2020.  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
• 3D Printing
• Airborne Radiation Sensing
• Fuel Cells
• Super Capacitors
• Bio-Ag & Water Issues research
• Cyber-Security
• And other Space and Aerospace-Related Research

“With recent support from Governor Ron DeSantis, the State’s partnership with the Israel Innovation Authority continues to cultivate the aerospace and technologies industries in both Florida and Israel,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “We’ve had many accomplishments since this program’s inception in 2013, and Space Florida looks forward to this Seventh Call for Projects.”

“The joint collaboration between Space Florida and the Israeli Innovation Authority has been critical in raising the level of space-related research and development in our state.  We look forward to the results important collaborations like these afford the Sunshine State, in order to continue leading in innovation and space exploration,” said Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez.

"Since its inception in 2013, the Israel-Florida collaboration on space related technologies yielded great success stories and projects that will truly make a difference in this field. Said Aharon Aharon, Israel Innovation Authority CEO. We were therefore, delighted to expand the scope of relevant fields in this recent call for proposal to encompass Bio-Ag research, Water technologies and Cyber Security. We strongly believe that the success of this collaboration between companies from both Israel and Florida will further strengthen the ties between the two countries and economies."

More information can be found at www.spaceflorida.gov/israelpartnership.

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About Space Florida: Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov

‍About Israel Innovation Authority:

‍The Israel Innovation Authority is Israel's central agency to manage the country’s governmental support of the resource of innovation. As the governments'​ operational arm in the arena of technological innovation and R&D, the goal of the Authority is to provide professional support and infrastructure to government efforts to encourage innovation in all industry sectors, complementing the major role that Israel already plays in the global high-tech sector.

The Israel Innovation Authority has three main roles: creating infrastructure to support diverse industries, developing tools and programs that suit the needs of the industry, and budgeting and financing high-risk projects and products. In addition to these roles, the Authority serves as a central hub for knowledge and consists of six customer-oriented “Innovation Divisions,” each providing a variety of tools for each market segment and stage in the life cycle of a product: Technological Infrastructure, Advanced Manufacturing, International Collaborations, Societal Challenges, Growth and Early Stage.