INDO-ISRAEL�

• INDIA – ISRAEL Initiative for Industrial R&D (i⁴RD)
• INDO-ISRAEL PROGRAM OF COOPERATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

INDIA – ISRAEL Initiative for Industrial R&D (i⁴RD)

On May 2005, the Ministry of Science & Technology, of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor, of the State of Israel have agreed to form i⁴RD with a primary aim to support jointly approved industrial R&D projects of cooperation between companies from the two countries leading to commercialization in the global market.

i⁴RD is the India-Israel Initiative for Industrial Research and Development - a government bilateral framework providing active support for collaborative R&D ventures between Indian and Israeli companies.

Call for Proposals – click here for more details
Common Format for applying – click here for more details
Guidelines and Format for Indian Applicants for Submitting Proposals

The proposal may be submitted by Indian companies in the prescribed format throughout the year

The objectives of the i⁴RD are to strengthen India-Israel science and technology, business to business and ultimately overall economic and trade relations.

Both sides have committed US$ 2 Million annually to support industrial R&D for commercial applications. Initial focus will be on biotechnology, nanotechnology, space science and technology, water management and non conventional energy sources (particularly solar).

The framework is implemented by the Department of Science & Technology of the Ministry of Science & Technology in India (DST), and MATIMOP, on behalf of the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) in Israel.

SUPPORT

The i⁴RD will support projects of Industrial R&D aimed at the development of products or processes to be commercialized in the global market. Innovative R&D projects with substantial potential for market success may get financial support in form of conditional grants for up to 50% of the approved R&D expenditures.

Funds under i⁴RD shall only be used for activities, which directly or indirectly foster and promote the market-oriented industrial R&D cooperation between India and Israeli businesses or R&D institutions.

Each of the Partners shall be subject to the provisions of the applicable laws, regulations and procedures with respect to assistance and funding of research and development provided by the government of that Partner.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible projects will be those based on alliances or cooperation between at least one industrial partner from Israel and at least one industrial partner from India, by which technological knowledge is developed jointly to the mutual benefit of businesses in India and Israel, for joint development and subsequent joint management and marketing of such projects.

The i⁴RD shall only assist joint innovative technology development projects undertaken by companies from India and Israel.

INDO-ISRAEL PROGRAM OF COOPERATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Introduction

An Agreement on cooperation in science and technology and a Protocol identifying the mechanisms of implementation of collaborative research activities were signed on 17 May 1993. As per provision of the Agreement, an Indo-Israel Joint Committee of Scientists was constituted which had five meetings so far.

Programme of Cooperation

A Working Programme of Cooperation in S&T giving the administrative and financial arrangements was signed between the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and the Ministry of Science, Government of Israel in August 1996 which was renewed further for the periods 2000-01 and 2003-04.

Modes of Cooperation:

In the Working Programme, the following modes of cooperation were identified:-
· Joint Research Projects.
· Exchange visit of Scientists
· Organization of joint symposia, seminars, conferences.
· Exploratory visits

Subject Areas

Initially, Agricultural Biotechnology, Advanced Materials, Lasers & Electro-optics and Information Technology were identified under the programme. However, presently only the following subject areas are covered under the programme:-

i) Genomics ii) Nanotechnology iii) Science & Technology Policy Management

New Project Proposals

Calls for proposals on joint research are invited from time to time by the two Governments jointly. In response to such calls, the scientists from both the countries interested in identified subject areas may formulate joint proposals and submit the same to the respective focal points in the two countries:

Guidelines and Application Format

Detailed guidelines along with application format would be provided at the time of
issue of call for proposals. However, the guidelines and application format issued earlier could be accessed at File “Proforma”.

Processing of Proposals and Project Duration

Project proposals received are reviewed by respective focal points and then a commonly agreed list of joint projects are finalized by the Indo-Israel Joint Committee of Scientists. The processing of proposals normally takes 6-9 months. The project duration is normally 2-3 years.

Financial Support

Under the Programme, financial support is provided to Project Investigators by their respective governments for exchange visits, equipments, consumables, salary of research personnel etc.