A joint U.S. and Israeli program on Tuesday released its annual Call for Proposals for collaborative, binational projects to develop homeland security technologies in six areas, including border security and drones.
The U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Homeland Security (HLS) program is funded by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and the Israel Ministry of Public Security.
The BIRD HLS program is seeking proposals for potential funding for technologies and methods to secure critical infrastructure and public facilities, for safe and secure cities, border protection and maritime security, law enforcement technologies to fight cyber-crime, unmanned aircraft systems, and advanced first responder technologies.
The program funds up to 50 percent of a project’s budget, up to $1 million per project. The program also works with companies to find potential partners.
“The BIRD HLS program raises awareness of capability gaps within the global innovation ecosystem and helps build relationships between industry and homeland security organizations, both in Israel and the U.S.,” William Bryan, acting DHS Under Secretary for S&T, said in a statement.
Proposals are due by June 15 and projects will be selected in August for awards.