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

EXPLORATION PARK, Fl. (August 27, 2018) – 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 sixth 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.

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 27, 2018, and are due to Space Florida and Israel Innovation Authority (OCS) no later than February 1, 2019. 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 • And other Space and Aerospace-Related Research

“Our Florida-Israel Innovation Partnership continues to flourish, promoting aerospace and technologies industries as well as economies in both Florida and Israel,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “We look forward to seeing the success stories and collaborations that come out of this Sixth Call for Projects, which will further strengthen the global influence of Florida and Israel.”

“The Israel – Florida strong collaboration has demonstrated great success stories since its establishment in 2013,” said Aharon Aharon, Israel Innovation Authority CEO. “As we are now announcing the sixth call, I am sure this cooperation will generate even greater partnerships and innovative technologies that will bear relevance to the population worldwide. The Israel Innovation Authority is looking forward to expanding industrial and technological collaborations and strengthening the economic ties between Israel and Florida.”

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

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.