A total of four joint Industrial R&D projects were today awarded under the US$40 million Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) at the I4F Conclave jointly organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) earlier today. The awards were given by Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology (DST),Government of India and Dr. Amiram Appelbaum, Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy & Industry and Chairman, Israel Innovation Authority, Government of Israel.
This US$40 mn Fund is one of the outcome of the historic,first-ever visit in July 2017 of Hon’ble Prime MinisterNarendra Modi to Israel. The Call for Proposals under which the awards were made was launched in January 2018 in New Delhi by the Prime Ministers of the two countries. The Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Israel Innovation Authority are the respective funding agencies. It is envisaged to fund six projects a year.
The projects awarded covered all the five eligible areas of Agriculture, Energy, Healthcare, Information &Communication Technology (ICT) and Water. A brief summary of the awarded projects is given below:
a) Energy Efficiency in Agricultural Pumping with Smart Groundwater Management through Monitoring & Targeting Aquifers : The project entails development of an innovative solution to achieve energy and water efficiency in villages through integration of (i) Improved Groundwater Level (IGWL) technology, (ii) Energy – water nexus technology to measure pump efficiency and water parameter through energy signature, (iii) IOT platform with smart controllers for irrigation in agriculture. Project awarded to : Energy Efficiency Services Limited., (India) and Bacsoft (Israel).
b) Development of Cellular Interface Mitigation Solution for the Indian Market, based on UBiFiX Solution: The project entails development of electronic systems for the cellular market which will help in cancelling interferences in cellular networks, and specifically in 4G networks, and thereby improving network quality. Project awarded to Frog Cellsat Limited, (India) and UbiqamLimited, (Israel)
c) Autonomous Water Pump for Irrigation, Utilizing Solar Energy: The project focuses on development of a cost effective, more efficient positive displacement Solar Pumping System, suitable for any type of well. The project is envisaged to increase farming levels, enhance yield and decrease operational and maintenance costs. Project awarded to VyodaPrivate Ltd., (India) and Agrosolar Irrigation Systems Ltd., (Israel).
d) Development and Clinical Evaluation of Affordable Surgical Device based on MIMS Technology for Treating of Glaucoma in India: The project involves development of affordable, standalone MIMS device and its integration with Phaco machine enabling ophthalmologists to treat glaucoma in one sitting with cataract, at lower cost and with lesser skill.Project awarded to Appasamy Ocular Devices (P) Ltd (India) and Sanoculis Ltd (Israel).
The 2nd Call for Proposals was also announced today, to commence in August with a deadline of November 2018. The areas of focus will remain Agriculture, Energy, Healthcare, Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) and Water.
On the occasion of the project awarding, Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology and the India Co-Chair, I4F Governing Board expressed his delight to be able to recognise four companies for awarding in the inaugural call itself. He stated that the I4F platform will enable the Governments of India and Israel to play a catalytic role for joint industry-led, last mile research and development (R&D) resulting in commercialization. This, he said, would take the industrial R&D and technological innovation partnership between India and Israel to a new level and indeed be a role model for others.
Dr Amiram Appelbaum, Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy & Industry, Chairman, Israel Innovation Authority and the Israel Co-Chair, I4F Govering Board expressed his tremendous pleasure that the strategic relationship launched in July 2017 had, within one year, witnessed a very significant milestone with the decision to award four projects covering all five focus areas of the CFP. He stated that Israel and India had indeed embarked on a truly historic partnership.H.E. Mr Daniel Carmon, Ambassador of Israel to India said, “The Fund is a unique platform designed to increase economic cooperation and boost research and development within both countries. India is quickly becoming a valued partner to Israel and the Fund can play an effective role in taking the best out of Israeli and Indian entrepreneurs, make them work together and develop a solution that would fit and benefit both sides.”
New Delhi
About the I4F Funding and Implementing Agencies:
Department of Science & Technology (DST)
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) was established in May 1971, with the objective of promoting new areas of Science & Technology and to play the role of a nodal department for organising, coordinating and promoting S&T activities in the country. The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India has an important role in building a strong base for Research, Development and Demonstration in India and in addressing national concerns about strengthening science and technology. DST, as a national agency for strengthening the base of Science and Technology in the country has made sincere attempt to address national concerns of India in basic research.
For more information about DST, please visit Download The file ( bytes) 
Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA)
Global Innovation & Technology Alliance (GITA) is a “non–for–profit” Section-8 (Companies Act 2013) Public Private Partnership (PPP) company promoted jointly by the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science& Technology (DST), Government of India (GOI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
GITA is an Innovative platform of Government of India and Indian Industry / R&D Institutions to encourage industrial investments in Innovative Technology Solutions through Mapping technology gaps, Evaluating technologies available across the Globe, Forging techno–strategic collaborative partnerships appropriate for Indian economy. GITA connects industrial and institutional partners for effective Matchmaking and collaborative industrial R&D projects, providing Funding for Technology Development / Acquisition / Customization / Deployment.
For more information about GITA, please visit www.gita.org.in
Israel Innovation Authority (IIA)
The Israel Innovation Authority, responsible for the country’s innovation policy, is an independent and impartial public entity that operates for the benefit of the Israeli innovation ecosystem and Israeli economy as a whole. Its role is to nurture and develop Israeli innovation resources, while creating and strengthening the infrastructure and framework needed to support the entire knowledge industry.The Israel Innovation Authority provides a variety of practical tools and funding platforms aimed at addressing the dynamic and changing needs of the local and international innovation ecosystems.
For more information about Israel Innovation Authority, please visit https://innovationisrael.org.il/
