The deadline for the 2023 Space Florida and Israel Innovation Authority’s call for project proposals is less than one month away.
The research and development funding available, valued at $2 million, aims to cultivate an aerospace ecosystem on the bleeding edge, and further strengthen the economic relationship between Florida and Israel. This is the tenth year that Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority are conducting this competitive competition.
Past recipients include Tampa-based StemRad and their radiation-shielding vest ‘AstroRad’, developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin. With initial funding from Space Florida, ‘AstroRad’ was researched and tested at Kennedy Space Center for the goal of protecting astronauts in low Earth orbit (LEO). The recent culmination of this vital research was the successful round the Moon flight of ‘AstroRad’, as it was scientifically tested aboard NASA’s Artemis I mission.
Frank DiBello, president and CEO, Space Florida said, “Together with the Israel Innovation Authority we have worked hard to fuel companies that are building today’s aerospace assets and imagining tomorrow’s innovations. We’ve created an ecosystem designed to accelerate aerospace technology assets and advance businesses across the supply chain, enabling cutting edge technology to be brought to life. Collaborating with our friends in Israel is one important way we are driving global advancements in aerospace technology. Space is no longer solely about exploration; it’s a strategic economic system that thrives when we invest in its future.”
Dror Bin, Israel Innovation Authority CEO, said, “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. With an annual joint investment of up to $2 million, we strongly believe that the success of this collaboration between companies from both Israel and Florida, leveraging disruptive innovations and projects in additional and complementary sectors such as climate, bio-agriculture and water as well as cyber security and 3D printing, will further strengthen the ties between the two countries and economies.”
Other past awardees include Censys Technologies, (robotic technology advancements), Redwire Space, (3D manufacturing of vital components on the International Space Station), Everix Optical Filters, (developing innovative nano-particle materials and photonic crystal structures, to use and manipulate solar energy), and KBR Wyle Services (use of electrolysis for pretreatment of spacecraft wastewater for reuse in space).
Funding will be awarded to companies demonstrating promising partnerships and near-term potential for commercialization and economic benefit to both Florida and Israel. One Florida-based and one Israel-based company must team up to present a proposal that incorporates joint research and development projects in fields from satellite communications and microgravity research to AI and micro- and nano-robotics.
Applications are due to Space Florida no later than 2 p.m. EST on Monday, February 20, 2023, and due to the Israel Innovation Authority no later than 12 p.m. Israel Standard Time. The applications are independently evaluated and scored by Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority, which then jointly agree which applications will be funded. Florida and Israel established a $2 million recurring joint fund to support research, development, and commercialization of aerospace and technology projects that benefit both Israel and Florida in 2013. To date, Space Florida and the Israel Innovation Authority have facilitated the funding of $18 million in vital and innovative research awards.
More information can be found at www.spaceflorida.gov/israelpartnership.
Media Contact
Anna Alexopoulos Farrar
afarrar@spaceflorida.gov
954.647.7059
About Space Florida
Space Florida is where leading aerospace companies get everything they need to see their new ideas take off. As that state’s aerospace finance and development authority, Space Florida brings a mix of unrivaled experience, unmatched financial tools, and unbeatable location to the table by providing critical business financing opportunities for the aerospace industry, managing infrastructure investment in the state’s spaceport system, and facilitating research and development, workforce, education, and investment programs.
