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עברית (Hebrew)
Grants of up to $1 million to innovative Homeland Security
projects through the BIRD Foundation
The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has
issued a Call for Proposals to U.S. and Israeli companies, to submit joint proposals for the
development of advanced Homeland Security technologies for first responder. An
approved project can receive up to $1 million in grants, covering up to 50% of its
budget.
The BIRD HLS program was initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), and the Israel Ministry of National Security
(IMNS). The program is managed by the BIRD Foundation and focuses on innovative
technology solutions to support first responder and homeland security needs shared by
both countries. Over the course of the first seven years, twelve BIRD HLS projects have
been approved for a budget of $24.5 million.
BIRD HLS is aimed at U.S. and Israeli companies that develop innovative technologies,
products and solutions that can add value to first responders. Each project should be a
collaboration between two companies, one from Israel and one from the United States, or
between a company and a university. This year, the program seeks advanced solutions for
mission-critical homeland security needs in the following topics:
Advanced first responder technologies (such as: Command & Control, video
analytics, communication, wearable sensors, standoff detection and identification
of hazards, Personal Protective Equipment, etc.)
Technologies and methods to secure critical infrastructure and public facilities
(“soft targets”)
Technologies focused on safe and secure cities
Border protection (such as: biometrics, screening systems, robotics, etc.), including
maritime security
Solutions based on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
The developed technology and product should lead to commercialization.
The selection of projects is led by representatives from DHS S&T and the IMNS Chief
Scientist. As part of this process, the projects are reviewed and presented to the IMNS
Chief Scientist, along with the relevant Israeli First Responder agencies, and are reviewed
by DHS S&T experts who oversee and promote innovation and partnerships with industry.
BIRD shares the risk and does not require repayment if the project fails to reach sales. It
supports projects without receiving any equity or intellectual property rights. Funding is
up to 50% of a project’s budget, beginning with R&D and ending with the initial stages of
sales and marketing. If the project reaches commercialization, funding is repaid as
royalties from sales of commercialized technology products.
The deadline for Executive Summaries is April 24, 2023.
A full description of submission requirements can be found on the BIRD Foundation
website: https://www.birdf.com/hls-call-for-proposals/
Contact:
Israel: Mr. Tal Kelem
Director of B.D. and BIRD HLS Lead,
[email protected]
+972-3-6988304
U.S.: Ms. Andrea Yonah
Director of B.D., East Coast and Midwest
[email protected]
Tel: 609-356-0305
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