Massachusetts-Israel Innovation Partnership

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Israel’s Chief Scientist Avi Hasson, the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation (USISTF), and three Massachusetts economic development agencies have announced that applications are now being accepted under the Massachusetts-Israel Innovation Partnership (MIIP), a formal collaboration between the State of Israel and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to encourage and support innovation and entrepreneurship between Massachusetts’ and Israel’s life sciences, clean energy and technology sectors. The new partnership was first announced at the BIO International Convention in June of this year in Washington DC. Applications are due by
March 22, 2012.

The joint solicitation seeks applications for funding for industrial Research & Development (R&D) collaborations between Massachusetts and Israeli companies.  The three participating Massachusetts agencies, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), are committing nearly $1 million in collective funding for Massachusetts companies that are engaged in cooperative industrial research and development projects with an identified Israeli partner company. Each of these Massachusetts agencies will be providing funding in the form of a grant of up to $300,000 to support companies working in that agency’s field. The Office of the Chief Scientist will provide up to $1 million in matching dollars for the corresponding Israeli partner companies. Massachusetts is the first U.S. state to establish such a program with the State of Israel.

The Partnership is designed to help Massachusetts and Israeli companies accelerate development cycles, promote mutually beneficial business-to-business cooperation to enhance opportunities for marketplace success and expand their global reach.  It proposes a flexible framework of parallel funding for each participating company, having its R&D expenses supported by its own state according to its respective laws, regulations, rules and procedures.

Information Technology companies can learn more about the program and download relevant forms below. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is reopening this soliciation until April 13, 2012. Please note the notices of intent are optional. Please see the soliciation for additional information. Click here to read the solicitation Click here for Appendix B Click here to download the budget form Click here to download a partner search form Click here to download a notice of intent form Click here to read the application Any questions about this program can be sent to: miip@masstech.org

About MTC and the John Adams Innovation Institute:

MTC is a public economic development agency charged with stimulating technological innovation across the state. The John Adams Innovation Institute is a leading science, technology, and innovation policy agent for the Commonwealth working to strengthen conditions for growth and competitiveness in the state’s research and innovation enterprise, innovation-based industries and regional economies.

At the request of Governor Patrick, MTC’s Innovation Institute has helped to form and support the Tech Hub Collaborative, a leadership group of industry, academic, and state government leaders focused on the growth of the state’s preeminent digital/information technology sector. The Tech Hub Collaborative looks at information technology in its broadest context, touching almost every sector of the economy, and Massachusetts IT companies are addressing every emerging market segment: Information Storage, Cloud Computing, Mobile Computing, Network Management, Content Delivery, Virtualization, Analytics, Social Media, Marketing Technology, Digital Entertainment, Digital Media, User Interface, Cybersecurity, Intelligent Infrastructure, High Performance Computing, Modeling & Simulation, Optimization, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Optoelectronics, Green Computing, Ocean Monitoring, Energy Efficiency, Financial Services, and Health-IT.   Proposals are invited that address emerging market opportunities throughout this broad spectrum.