BIRD – Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial R&D Foundation to Invest $1.5 Million in Two Groundbreaking Homeland Security Projects

This is the sixth consecutive year that BIRD HLS has invested in joint U.S.-Israel technology projects to improve public safety.

The awarded projects address pressing needs in air traffic management and public security

The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation has awarded funding to two homeland security projects, each between a U.S. and an Israeli company. The projects are selected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), the Israel Ministry of Public Security (MOPS), and are approved by the BIRD Foundation’s Board of Governors.

In addition to the grants from BIRD, the projects will access private sector funding, boosting the total value of the projects to approximately $3.5 million.

The projects approved for grants are:

• Ciconia (Ness Ziona, Israel) and Sagetech Avionics (White Salmon, Washington) will develop a mid-air conflict management and collision avoidance system for first responder aerial platforms.
• Carbyne (Tel-Aviv, Israel) and CentralSquare Technologies (Lake Mary, Florida) will develop a real-time multi-media emergency call (911) communications for public safety and first responders.

Since 2016, DHS S&T and MOPS have partnered to fund technology collaboration between U.S. and Israeli R&D companies, addressing the homeland security needs of both countries and demonstrating significant commercial potential. This joint research effort supports technologies in the areas of: Cyber Crime, Critical Infrastructure and Public Facilities, Safe and Secure Cities, Border Protection, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and Advanced Technologies for First Responders.

The BIRD Foundation promotes collaborations between U.S. and Israeli companies in various technological fields for joint product development. In addition to providing conditional grants for approved projects, the Foundation assists by working with companies to identify potential strategic partners and facilitate introductions.

Projects submitted for consideration are reviewed by representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Israel Innovation Authority and experts from the Israel Ministry of Public Security.

“DHS S&T is happy to once again partner with the BIRD Foundation and the Israel Ministry of Public Security for the sixth year of the HLS program,” said Ms. Megan Mahle, Director of DHS S&T Industry Partnerships. “The projects selected represent areas of mutual interest between the U.S. and Israel in support of essential missions, and we are looking forward to the successful collaboration of the grantees.”

Dr. Gad Frishman, Chief Scientist, Israel Ministry of Public Security, said, “Based on the completion of a thorough and professional review process, we have selected two new innovative projects that will aid emergency and rescue forces in Israel and in the U.S. As we embark on the sixth year of the BIRD HLS program, we are hopeful that we will see a positive return on our investment. Some of the technologies developed as a result of this program are already providing capabilities that aid in a more efficient emergency management.”

Dr. Eitan Yudilevich, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation, said, “We are pleased to announce the 2021 BIRD HLS grantees with projects that will enable safer air traffic in emergency situations and a more effective first response to emergency events. In this sixth year of the BIRD HLS program, the fruitful collaboration between the BIRD Foundation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Israel Ministry of Public Security has resulted in successful projects that will serve first responders and improve public safety.”