01.03.2011 - 27.10.2011

Call for Proposals

of 17 February 2011

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMBF), MATIMOP (Israeli Industry Center for R&D) on behalf of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour (MOITAL) and its Chief Scientist (OCS), reiterating the importance of strengthening and deepening scientific, technological and industrial cooperation between Germany and Israel, invite proposals for bilateral R&D (research and development) projects. Both countries agree that German and Israeli research establishments and innovative companies should cooperate in the field of civil security research in order to increase the security of the population, accelerate innovation processes and achieve joint competitive advantages in international high-tech markets.

1 Funding purpose and legal basis

1.1 Funding purpose

On the basis of the above mentioned cooperation agreement, the funding activity "Cooperation in civil security research between Germany and Israel" is designed to develop innovative solutions which serve in particular to protect the civilian population and at the same time have great market potential.

Within this framework, qualified applicants may receive R&D grants from the BMBF and MOITAL-OCS, represented by MATIMOP, respectively in accordance with the applicable national procedures and terms and conditions for funding.

1.2 Legal basis

In Germany, funding will be provided by the BMBF on the basis of the Research for Civil Security programme(http://www.bmbf.de/de/11773.php). In addition, project grants for the German partners will be awarded in accordance with the present funding regulations, the BMBF's standard terms and conditions for grants on an expenditure or cost basis and the administrative regulations under section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO). There is no legal entitlement to funding. The fund provider will decide freely after due assessment of the circumstances within the framework of the budget funds available. The European Commission (EU) has approved the programme. In Israel, R&D performing companies participating in industrial and applied research and development projects within this framework may receive R&D grants from the OCS at MOITAL.
Israeli universities and research establishments can be subcontracted by companies.

The general terms and conditions for funding also apply to this field, including the intellectual property rights formulated by the ministries for all BMBF-MOST-MOITAL research collaborations. 

2 Object of funding

Funding will be provided for collaborative projects which develop innovative solutions and contribute to improving the protection of people against the threats of terrorism, organized crime, natural disasters and major technical accidents, among other things. The projects must aim beyond current R&D results and make contributions to the following topics: . Concepts and measures for the prevention and management of (large-scale) emergencies or disasters and for the protection of the population (e.g. command and control systems, prompt and efficient implementation of on-site rescue and security measures, communication with the population)

• Protection of critical infrastructures (e. g. hazard management systems, protection against cyber attacks, monitoring systems to prevent attacks from outside, measures to prevent cascade effects, systems for the detection of hazardous materials)
• Securing supply chains (e. g. systems for real-time monitoring of goods and commodities and their transport routes, sensors for the detection of hazardous materials).

The project proposals should consider one or more of the following security methods: prevention, early detection, increase of redundancy (ability to function even during crises), quick and effective response in the event of crisis. Furthermore, social issues that will complement the planned R&D activities should be addressed as part of the projects. Projects on cross-cutting issues may also include the implementation of short-term surveys of potential. Social issues can, for example, include aspects of security culture, ethical aspects, value conflicts, threat perception, security and crisis communication, legal framework conditions, compliance with data protection requirements in technology design, privacy protection, acceptance studies, threat and cause analyses, economic aspects, and human-technology interaction. The main criteria for funding are the innovativeness, practicability and marketability of the envisaged security solutions (products, services), the combination of technological and social issues to ensure consideration of social goals and impact, and the contribution which the project makes to increasing civil security while observing the right to privacy. It is expected that proposals for collaborative projects between German and Israeli partners will be submitted in which companies, (non-university, university) research institutes and end users are involved. Although it is not mandatory to involve all types of partners from both countries in each project, preference will be given to proposals which involve partners from industry, institutes and end users. One Israeli and one German company have to be involved in each project.

In Israel

For MOITAL/ MATIMOP, end users are not a mandatory requirement for the submission of a proposal. In most cases end users cannot be funded in particular if they are a governmental or public entity. The proposals for collaborative projects must feature the following:

• Consistent use of the latest findings from science and research
• Presentation of a robust analysis of threats and/or requirements for the envisaged security solution
• Visible progress compared with state-of-the-art technologies or solutions
• Clearly formulated project goal, also concerning the envisaged gain in security, efficiency and acceptance as well as conformity with data protection requirements
• Visible benefit to both the Israeli and the German side. The research should be planned for a period not exceeding three years. 3 Recipients of funding

In both countries, industrial companies, universities and non-university research establishments which are seeking or have already established cooperation with companies and institutions in the other country can submit applications for grants in their own country. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular are invited to submit research proposals. Research establishments and universities in Israel can only become involved via subcontracts.

In Germany:

Applications may be submitted by companies which develop innovative security solutions, by end users and by universities and research establishments.

Research establishments which receive joint basic funding from the Federal Government and the Länder can only be granted project funding for their additional expenditure under certain conditions.

End users are the operators of critical infrastructures such as the operators of security-relevant infrastructures in areas like transport, water, energy, etc. as well as public services such as security and rescue services (e. g. police, fire brigade, disaster relief). As a rule, universities and research and science establishments will be involved via R&D subcontracts awarded by commercial companies within the framework of a collaborative project.

The BMBF aims to increase the share of universities of applied sciences in research funding. The universities of applied sciences are therefore particularly invited to participate in the collaborative projects - preferably in R&D subcontracts awarded by commercial companies.

In Israel:

Grants to industrial companies are awarded by MOITAL. Research establishments and universities can become involved via subcontracts.

4 Type, scope and rates of funding

In Germany:

The BMBF will award non-repayable project grants to the German collaborative partners within the framework of the budget funds available.

Grants for commercial companies are calculated on the basis of the project-related costs eligible for funding, up to 50% of which can as a rule be covered by government grants depending on the project's relevance to application (partial funding). The companies are expected to fund a share of at least 50% of the eligible costs incurred. Grants for universities and non-university research and science establishments as well as similar institutions are calculated on the basis of the eligible project-related expenditure (in the case of the Helmholtz centres and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG) the eligible project-related costs), up to 100% of which can be funded in individual cases.

The EU's Community Framework for State Aid for Research, Development and Innovation must be taken into account when fixing the rates of funding. The Community Framework allows a differentiated bonus arrangement for collaborative projects of SMEs, which may result in a higher rate of funding. The EU's definition of SMEs applies (http://www.kp.dlr.de/profi/easy/bmbf/pdf/0119.pdf). 

In Israel:

For R&D performing companies: Up to 50% of the eligible R&D costs will be funded in accordance with OCS procedures and regulations. Conditional R&D grants are usually approved on a yearly basis.

5 Prerequisites for funding

Cooperation between the partners in a joint project must be laid down in a cooperation agreement. Before a funding decision can be taken, the cooperation partners must prove that they have reached basic agreement in accordance with BMBF's and MOITAL's terms and conditions and submit such agreement to the funding institutions in Israel and in Germany. The BMBF's terms and conditions are set out in BMBF leaflet no. 0110, which can be found at http://www.kp.dlr.de/profi/easy/bmbf/pdf/0110.pdf.

With regard to their planned project, applicants should in their own interest familiarize themselves with the EU Research Framework Programme. They should check whether the planned project has specific European components which make it eligible for funding as an EU project. Applicants should briefly state the result of such a check in their application for national funding. Applicants should also check whether an application for funding can in addition be submitted to the EU in connection with the proposed bilateral project. Relevant considerations and plans should be described in the application for funding. BMBF and MOITAL encourage German and Israeli scientists to cooperate in carrying out joint projects under the EU's Seventh Research Framework Programme.

6 Other terms and conditions for awarding funds

In Germany:

The Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen auf Kostenbasis des BMBF an Unternehmen der gewerblichen Wirtschaft für Forschungs- und Entwicklungsvorhaben (Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF to Commercial Companies for Research and Development Projects on a Cost Basis) will be part of the notification of award for grants on a cost basis.

The Allgemeine Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen zur Projektförderung (General Auxiliary Conditions for Grants for the Promotion of Projects) and the Besondere Nebenbestimmungen für Zuwendungen des BMBF zur Projektförderung auf Ausgabenbasis (Special Auxiliary Terms and Conditions for Funds Provided by the BMBF for the Promotion of Projects on an Expenditure Basis) will be part of the notification of award for grants on an expenditure basis.

The approval and payment of and accounting for the funds as well as the proof and examination of the proper use and, if necessary, the revocation of the award and the reclaiming of the funds awarded are governed by the administrative regulations pertaining to section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO) and sections 48 and 49a of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG) unless deviation is allowed under the present funding regulations.

In Israel:

The Israeli industrial partner in a project must comply with the procedures and regulations of the OCS under the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial R&D. Proposals submitted to the OCS will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Technological innovation
• Economic potential of the proposed products/services
• Added value of cooperation between the project partners
• Capability of the partners (R&D personnel, infrastructure, finance, marketing and management).

7 Procedure

7.1 Structure of the project proposal

1. Goals
2. • Overall objective of the project, summary of the project proposal
   • Scientific and/or technical working objectives, envisaged innovations
   • Project consortium: project coordinator, assignment of roles, value added chain if appropriate
3. State of the art and applicants' own work
4. • State of the art
   • Patents filed (by applicants and third parties)
   • Previous work of the applicants
5. Work plan
   Detailed description of the work of the partners in the collaboration (including subcontractors, if appropriate; including all scientific and technical issues relevant to the project as well as the proposed solutions)
6. Utilization plan
   Utilization plan (scientific, technical and economic utilization of results by the partners involved, translation into provisions, guidelines and legal framework conditions if appropriate)
7. Network plan
   Work packages, handover points, milestones and implementing decisions
8. Funding schedule
   Estimate of overall costs and funding requirements for each individual partner in the collaboration.

Applicants are free to add further points which they consider to be significant for the evaluation of their proposal.

Collaboration partners whose project is co-financed by industrial partners or other agencies must indicate the amount of external funds envisaged.

7.2 Submission of project proposals

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has entrusted the following project management organization with implementing the funding activity:

VDI-Technologiezentrum GmbH
Projektträger Sicherheitsforschung
VDI-Platz 1
40468 Düsseldorf
Germany

Contact:
Dr. Karin Reichel
Phone: ++ 49 (0) 2 11 - 62 14 - 567
Fax: ++ 49 (0) 2 11 - 62 14 - 484
E-mail: reichel@vdi.de

The German collaboration partners will, via the coordinator, submit to the project management organization an electronic version of a project proposal  in German and English of a maximum of 20 A4 pages (including annexes, 12 point font) in a form that can be evaluated.

Application forms are available on the website of the VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH at http://sicherheitsforschung.vditz.de/aktuelle-bekanntmachungen/ .

Israeli companies will submit their project proposals in electronic form to:
Ilana Gross
Program Manager, Matimop-Israeli Industry Center for R&D
Phone: +972-3-5118184
Fax: 972-3-5177 655
E-mail: ilana@matimop.org.il

For Technological advice-Office of the Chief Scientist, MOITAL
Avi Shavit
Head of HLS Sector,OCS
E-mail : avi@shavit.co.il

Application forms for Israeli R&D partners in industry are available on the website of the OCS at http://www.moit.gov.il/NR/exeres/C4A8C9EC-7BDF-431D-AEC5-5CBB57D839FC.htm

7.3 Selection of project proposals

The proposals received will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

• Relevance to the subject of the call for proposals
• Visible benefit to both the Israeli and the German side
• Adequate involvement of relevant partners from industry, institutes and end users
• Innovativeness and knowledge gain
• Holistic character and large-scale effectiveness of the approach, taking social goals and impact into account
• Practicability and marketability of the envisaged solution and its optimized economic leverage
• Quality of the project consortium. External reviewers can be involved in the evaluation in accordance with the regular national procedure.

7.4 Special information for universities of applied sciences

Universities of applied sciences which have been successful in the selection procedure for the collaborative projects may receive additional funding. For that purpose, they can submit a proposal for a related research project to be funded under the BMBF's ProfilNT funding line to raise their research profile in the field of new technologies. The second, separate proposal must address advanced or new R&D aspects related to the topic of the collaborative project. The work plans/research activities and staff planning of the two proposals must not overlap. The evaluation and funding decision under the ProfilNT funding line will take place in a separate selection procedure. The BMBF has entrusted the PT-FH of the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) with the management of the ProfilNT funding line. For further information (legal basis, prerequisites for funding, guidelines for applicants, contacts, etc.) please visit http://www.bmbf.de/de/1956.php. 8 Submission procedure and deadlines

Pre-proposals must be submitted to the OCS and the VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH by 30 May 2011 (first deadline) and 27 October 2011 (second deadline). The proposal has to be submitted by an industrial partner or a research center. Selection is a two-stage process. After the initial evaluation and selection of pre-proposals, the selected applicants are invited to submit formal proposals for final evaluation in the second stage of the process. The evaluation and selection of eligible pre-proposals and proposals in both stages is done jointly by BMBF and OCS/MOITAL and involves cooperation with external experts.

9 Project preparation workshop

A workshop to prepare joint projects is being discussed. Detailed information on this event and on possible assistance in looking for partners can be obtained from the agencies listed below.

10 Information and further support

In Germany:

Dr. Karin Reichel
VDI-Technologiezentrum GmbH
Projektträger Sicherheitsforschung
VDI-Platz 1
40468 Düsseldorf
Germany
Phone: ++ 49 (0) 2 11 - 62 14 - 567
Fax: ++ 49 (0) 2 11 - 62 14 - 484
E-mail: reichel@vdi.de

In Israel:

MATIMOP

Ilana Gross
Program Manager, Industrial R&D Programs-Europe
Matimop - Israeli Industry Center for R&D
Phone: +972-3-5118184
Fax: 972-3-5177 655
E-mail: ilana@matimop.org.il

For Technological advice-Office of the Chief Scientist, MOITAL
Avi Shavit
Head of HLS Sector, OCS
E-mail : avi@shavit.co.il

11 Entry into force

These funding regulations will enter into force on the date of publication in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger) in Germany and relevant publications in Israel. Bonn, 17 February 2011
Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Dr. Wolf Junker
Head of Security Research Division