Massachusetts-Israel Innovation Partnership (MIIP)
Eight Israeli life sciences companies are seeking Massachusetts partners in order to apply for funding under the Massachusetts Israel Innovation Partnership (MIIP). Could one of them be a good match for you? Click here to see an updated list of these companies and learn more about the innovative technologies they are developing. See the updated list of companies >> |
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.
Once a partnership is identified, you must submit a final Notice of Intent, due by Jan. 17, 2012. Final eligibility will be validated enabling the partnership to complete a grant application which is due by Feb. 6, 2012. Links to these documents can be found below.
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.
Which life sciences companies are eligible to apply?
- The Massachusetts applicant must be a life sciences company as defined by the MLSC’s governing statute (e.g., biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical diagnostics or bioinformatics)
- The Massachusetts applicant company must be registered to do business in Massachusetts
- The Massachusetts applicant company must have established a partnership with an Israeli company to pursue an R&D project
If your company meets any of the following criteria, you are not eligible to apply:
- Your company has 500 or more employees worldwide
- Your company has had a prior or existing R&D partnership with your proposed Israeli partner company
- Your company is “related” to your Israeli partner company (i.e., common legal, parent or subsidiary, controlled or owned by same person, entity, or group of persons or entities)
Life sciences companies can learn more about the program and download relevant forms, including the application form, below.
Click here for a program overview
Click here to read the solicitation
Click here to download a partner search form
Click here to download a notice of intent form
Click here to download the application
Click here for Appendix C: MLSC Information and Grant Application Instructions
Click here for the FAQs (revised 12/14/11)
Any questions about this program can be sent to: miip@masslifesciences.com