BIRD Foundation issues call for proposals of advanced technologies for first responders

The U.S.-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation recently issued a call for proposals of next-generation first responder technologies to promote joint development ventures for first responder training and development.

“The BIRD Foundation is happy to accelerate cooperation between the U.S. and Israel in the area of advanced technologies for First Responders,” BIRD Executive Director Eitan Yudilevich said. “This binational cooperation creates synergetic capabilities to handle emergency situations while using innovative technologies to save lives. The program extends and enhances the successful collaboration that already exists between the U.S. and Israel in science and technology in the homeland security sector.”

The proposal states that projects can receive a conditional grant of up to 50 percent of their joint research and development budget, with a maximum fund of $1 million per project. Each project should focus on technologies for use by law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services, and demonstrate significant commercial potential. Projects should include innovation in command, control and coordination, communications, data analysis, explosives and hazards detection, protective clothing, sensors, simulation and training, situational awareness, and wearable technologies.

Executive summaries are due by Feb. 15 and final proposals are due by Apr. 5. Decisions will be announced in June 2017.

The BIRD Foundation was established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security.