Program Description

Criteria

Evaluation Criteria:

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• • The extent of the technological need for the pilot site among industrial corporations conducting R&D activities. Preference will be given to pilot sites addressing significant technological needs and market demand.
  • The existence of a market failure, technological gap, or accessibility barrier that limits the ability of industrial corporations to conduct advanced-stage prototype demonstrations, and the extent to which the proposed program addresses and overcomes these barriers.
  • The applicant’s capabilities, including managerial, operational, and professional capacity to successfully implement the proposed program and ensure its long-term commercial viability.
  • The technological and employment contribution of the proposed program to the Israeli economy.
  • The technological and economic growth potential expected to result from the successful implementation of the program.
  • The terms of access and use of the pilot site by industrial corporations, including service availability, accessibility, and pricing, where applicable.
  • The technological complexity and sophistication of the potential technologies to be demonstrated at the pilot site.
  • The uniqueness of the pilot site, including the extent to which the proposed activities provide additional value compared to other pilot sites operating in the same sector.
  • The pilot site’s contribution to the commercial and technological advancement of participating industrial corporations, particularly in supporting their entry into international markets.
  • The diversity and scale of the sectors served by the applicant, as well as the range of industries and technologies represented by potential client companies.
  • The degree of additionality created by the proposed program relative to the applicant’s existing activities and capabilities.
  • The contribution of the requested investment to the successful execution and realization of the proposed program

Eligibility Criteria 

• • The program, including all of its components, must be carried out in Israel by Israeli residents, unless the Research Committee determines, with documented justification, that it is essential for part of the program to be conducted outside Israel or by non-residents.
  • The approved program must be implemented by the applicant, by a party designated by the applicant in the application, or by an implementer approved in accordance with the provisions of the incentive program.
  • The proposed program may not be carried out on behalf of a third party that is not the applicant in exchange for full or partial payment, where such payment is provided in return for full or partial ownership rights in the resulting knowledge, technology, or product.
  • The applicant must employ a Pilot Site Manager with relevant experience at a minimum of 50% employment throughout the program period, subject to the approval of the Research Committee. In addition, the applicant must employ at least one Vice President or equivalent senior executive responsible for the relevant technology domain, also at a minimum of 50% employment throughout the program period.
  • The applicant must not have a pending request for funding of an identical program, in whole or in part, under any other Israel Innovation Authority program or sub-program. In addition, the applicant must not have had a substantially similar application rejected under this incentive program during the six months preceding the submission date.
  • No direct or indirect financial assistance may have been received for the proposed project from a governmental body or the Israel Innovation Authority, except in accordance with the provisions of this incentive program. No additional support will be granted for a project that has previously received funding under this program.
  • The applicant must be financially and legally eligible to receive funding and may not be undergoing insolvency, liquidation, or similar proceedings.
  • The applicant must comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
  • The applicant must retain ownership of the knowledge and intellectual property generated through the approved program.
  • Applications must be submitted in accordance with all program guidelines and submission requirements.