EXPLORATION PARK, FL and JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (October 25, 2021) – Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority have issued a new joint call for project proposals valued at $2 million in research and development funding.
This is the ninth year that Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority 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 October 25, 2021 and are due to Space Florida no later than 5 p.m. EST on Monday, February 21, 2022 and due to the Israel Innovation Authority no later than 12 p.m. Israel Time on February 21, 2022. The applications are independently evaluated and scored by Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority, 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
· Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sensor development and research
· Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) research and development
· Fuel Cells
· Super Capacitors
· Bio-Ag & Water Issues research
· Cyber-Security
· Climate
· And other Space and Aerospace-Related Research
“We are pleased to announce this latest joint call for projects in partnership with the Israel Innovation Authority,” said Frank DiBello, President and CEO of Space Florida. “The joint collaboration between Florida and Israel continues to cultivate the aerospace and technologies industries. We thank the Israel Innovation Authority as well as the State of Florida for the continued partnership strengthening the industries, economies and two countries.”
“The unique alliance between Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority continues to produce inventive partnerships that support commercialization, research and development of aerospace and technology projects,” said Florida’s Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “We look forward to the results to come from this ninth joint call for projects and the continued work with the Israel Innovation Authority.”
“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 the aerospace sector,” said Dror Bin, Israel Innovation Authority CEO. “With
an annual joint investment of $2 million, we strongly believe that the success of this collaboration between companies from both Israel and Florida, leveraging disruptive innovations and projects, will further strengthen the ties between the two countries and economies.”
Additionally, Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority would like to thank Enterprise Florida’s Israel Office for its collaboration and partnership in this Call for Projects.
More information can be found at www.spaceflorida.gov/
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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.