Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Israel's Midwest Consul General Midwest Roey Gilad signed a bilateral cooperation agreement to jointly support industrial research and development projects.

“This is a breakthrough opportunity between Michigan and Israel, two centers of global leadership in technology research and development, in a moment in history that values innovation,” Snyder said. “Our shared entrepreneurial spirit and technology leadership combine for a broad range of possibilities across a range of industries, such as automotive, cyber security, water technologies, life sciences and defense.”

The pact is intended to promote and enhance the economic partnership between Michigan and Israel, calling for issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) from for-profit business collaborations between Michigan and Israeli companies. The joint projects approved by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and the Israel Office of the Chief Scientist will receive an unspecified amount of government funding.

The agreement, modeled after a similar pact between Israel and Massachusetts, calls for joint research and development projects between Israeli and Michigan companies. It does not mention specific target technology sectors but is anticipated to be primarily focused on industry sectors with major technology dimensions that are common areas of strength to both Michigan and Israel.

The RFP is currently being jointly drafted by the MEDC and MATIMOP, the Israeli Industry Center for R&D, working on behalf of the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) in the Israel Ministry of Economy. Joint projects in this framework will be supported through a variety of existing funding sources, including but not limited to OCS, State of Michigan, and MEDC funding mechanisms. No specific date has been set for the launch of the RFP. It is expected to be issued in coming months and no later than the end of October 2014.