For Immediate Release:
DHS S&T: John Verrico, (202) 254-2385
BIRD Foundation, Andrea Yonah, 609-356-0305

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Israel – U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation is seeking proposals for collaborative projects to develop advanced technologies for the homeland security mission. The BIRD Homeland Security (HLS) program is a joint initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the Israel Ministry of Public Security (MOPS).

“We are pleased to announce this year’s call for proposals in areas relating to homeland security,” said Dr. Eitan Yudilevich, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation. “Five new topic areas were added to the solicitation this year, and we look forward to assisting in the collaborative efforts between U.S. and Israeli organizations through the program.”

“This partnership allows us to work with our international partners to find innovative technology solutions for homeland security needs,” said DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology William N. Bryan. “We are excited to renew this partnership for the fourth year and to see what technologies can be developed through this program.”

Since 2016, DHS S&T has partnered with the MOPS on the BIRD HLS program to seek solutions in first responder technology areas such as protective clothing, wearable technology and situational awareness. In addition to advancing first responder technologies, this year’s call for proposals includes six areas for U.S. and Israeli collaboration:

• Advanced first responder technologies
• Border protection, including maritime security
• Law enforcement-supporting technologies to combat cyber crime
• Technologies and methods to secure critical infrastructure and public facilities
• Safe and secure cities
• Unmanned aerial systems

The deadline for submission of Executive Summaries for the Homeland Security Program is April 3, 2019. Projects will be awarded in July 2019. A full description of submission requirements can be found on the BIRD Foundation website.

The BIRD Foundation is a unique U.S.-Israeli partnership that accelerates cooperation between U.S. and Israeli companies, academia and other research institutions in a wide range of technology sectors to foster strategic partnerships between companies in both countries for the purpose of joint product development. The program funds up to 50 percent of the combined project budget, up to $1 million per project, and works with companies to identify potential strategic partners and facilitate introductions.

S&T’s mission is to enable effective, efficient, and secure operations across all homeland security missions by applying scientific, engineering, analytic, and innovative approaches to deliver timely solutions and support departmental acquisitions. Created by Congress in 2003, S&T conducts basic and applied research, development, demonstration, testing and evaluation activities relevant to DHS. For more information about S&T, visit scitech.dhs.gov.

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Topics: Science and Technology
Keywords: funding, international, International partnerships, R&D, Science and Technology