Agreements

São Paulo – Israel Cooperation in Industrial Research and Innovation Projects

Announcing the FIRST CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Submission by: October 1st. 2013

Under the framework of the agreement signed between FAPESP - São Paulo Research Foundation, on behalf of the State of São Paulo, Brazil and MATIMOP -The Israeli Industry Center for R&D, acting on behalf of the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS), the parties agree to promote and facilitate bilateral research and innovation projects between Entities from the State of São Paulo, the Federative Republic of Brazil and from the State of Israel. Research and Innovation Projects should demonstrate the technological and mutually beneficial contribution of the participants from both States as well as address specific market needs or challenges and demonstrate high industrial relevance and commercial potential.

1 Modes of collaboration

Proposals must adhere to two modes of collaboration:

a) Mode I: proposals associating one or more companies in Israel (typically one) to one or more small businesses (less than 250 employees) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

b) Mode II: proposals associating one or more companies in Israel to one or more companies associated to higher education or research institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

2 Eligibility

Proposals must be prepared and submitted by organizations in Israel and in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, according to the following eligibility criteria:

a) At the Israeli side: R&D performing companies registered in Israel, according to the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy -  - OCS eligibility criteria.

b) At the São Paulo, Brazil side:

b.1) For Mode I proposals: researchers associated to a small business (less than 250 employees) established in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. In this mode, proposals submitted to FAPESP must follow the rules of FAPESP’s Program for Innovative Research in Small Businesses (PIPE). Cooperation will be open to proposals from researchers associated with companies that have had support from FAPESP for PIPE Phases I or II and for which the final report has been approved or is under evaluation. In any case, the final report must have been approved before a successful proposal is granted through this Call.

b.2) For Mode II proposals: researchers associated to a company together with researchers associated to a higher education or research institution in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. In this mode, proposals submitted to FAPESP must follow the rules of FAPESP’s Program for Collaborative Research for Innovation (PITE).

c) Under the framework of this R&D agreement, Israeli companies and Brazilian companies, that have existing ownership relations, can be considered candidates for submission. Such requests are subject to a submission of an outline which clearly states the special circumstances for this project and the benefits achieved by each participant from this project.

3 Common Requirements

The joint R&D project should aim at the development of products/processes leading to commercialization in the global market or in Brazil. Additionally, the proposals must demonstrate all of the following requirements:

a) The products/processes to be developed must be highly innovative and with significant commercial potential.

b) The partners in Israel and in São Paulo, Brazil, must agree in advance on an IP rights agreement and on a commercialization strategy for the product or process.

c) The partners in Israel and in São Paulo, Brazil, must be capable of implementing the project and funding their respective share.

d) The project should demonstrate the scientific and technological contribution of the participants from both countries.

e) The project must demonstrate adequate balance among the participants and significance to both partners.

4 Funding Value and Matching Funds

a) Funding will be transferred to researchers in São Paulo, Brazil by FAPESP in accordance with the National Laws, Rules, Regulations and procedures in effect.

a.1) For proposals in Mode I, funding by FAPESP will follow the Foundation´s standard procedures for the program PIPE and will be subjected to PIPE’s funding ceiling of R$ 1.200.000,00.

a.2) For proposals in Mode II funding by FAPESP will follow the Foundation´s standard procedures for the program PITE, which require matching funds from the partner company associated to the higher education or research institution.

a.3) In any case covered by a.1 and a.2 the eligible and approved R&D costs in São Paulo will include the sum of costs to FAPESP, to the non-profit higher education or research institution and to the company, or to the small business, necessary for the execution of the project. 

b) In Israel, funding by the OCS will be transferred to R&D performing companies only, in accordance with the National Laws, Rules, Regulations and procedures in effect.

b.1) Funding by MATIMOP/OCS may be provided in the form of conditional grant in Israel.

b.2) The total funding from the Government of Israel via the OCS, under this framework, will not exceed 50% of the eligible and approved costs of the R&D, in accordance with the national laws and regulations. In addition, developing zones top-ups will apply.

b.3) Research institutes may participate and be funded as subcontractors.

5 Submission of proposals

A two stage application process will be followed:

a) Phase 1: partnering organizations will submit a pre-proposal documentation demonstrating the technological contribution of the participants from both countries:

a.1) The BILATERAL COOPERATION FORM must be signed by the partners from São Paulo, Brazil and from Israel and submitted to FAPESP and MATIMOP (within the deadline of the Call) to the e-mail addresses listed in item 10 below;

i. Unless approved by both sides' authorities, applications submitted after the deadline of the Call will not be accepted but can be resubmitted by the interested parties in the subsequent call.

ii. A Letter of Intent, Preliminary Agreement, or draft MOU between the participants from both countries is required. If the proposal is approved the final agreement has to be presented to the funding authorities. In case the partners from São Paulo, Brazil include a company in association with a research institution, FAPESP must be a part to the Agreement.

a.2) MATIMOP and FAPESP will pre-screen the applications and will recommend to the applicants whether to proceed to the second submission phase and submit their full funding requests using the OCS/FAPESP application forms. Note: A positive recommendation in the 1st phase does not imply final approval of the full application.

a.3) Only those applications meeting all basic criteria of the Call for Proposals will be invited to submit full proposals in each agency´s format.

b) Phase 2: applicants of pre-proposals meeting all eligibility criteria will be invited to submit the complete funding application using the procedures, and according to the rules, applied by FAPESP in São Paulo, Brazil, and by OCS in Israel.

b.1) The partners from Israel are required to submit the National Application form in accordance with the OCS regulations, through an online system: www.moital.gov.il/NR/exeres/C4A8C9EC-7BDF-431D-AEC5-5CBB57D839FC.htm 

i. The application in the prescribed format has to be submitted to MATIMOP as well, at the coordinates provided at the end of the document.

b.2) The partners from São Paulo, Brazil are required to submit the application to FAPESP containing the following main documents:

i. FAPESP submission form: either FAPESP’s PIPE – Phase II submission form (for Mode I under this call) or FAPESP’s PITE submission form (for Mode II under this call). The specific forms are available at www.fapesp.br/en/7812

ii. FAPESP Researcher Registration Form (Cadastro do Pesquisador) that accompanies the submission form.

iii. Summaries of the CV´s (Súmula Curricular), in English, of the applicant researcher (Principal Investigator) and of each participating scientist (following FAPESP’s model at www.fapesp.br/en/6351);

iv. FAPESP research team listing form;

v. Requested budget spreadsheets as specific forms for Mode I or Mode II proposals. The forms are available at www.fapesp.br/en/7812;

vi. Research Proposal: should be submitted in English in no more than 20 pages, using font size 12 and double spacing.

ATTENTION:

  • For a list of all requested documents, please consult the FAPESP submission form, item 21.
  • To access the forms mentioned above, please consult the FAPESP-MATIMOP documents page at www.fapesp.br/en/7812.

6 Evaluation and selection of the projects

a) FAPESP in São Paulo and OCS/MATIMOP in Israel will carry out independent evaluations of each joint R&D proposal in accordance with their National/Institutional Laws and Regulations.

b) A proposal will be considered selected under this agreement if both FAPESP and OCS/MATIMOP jointly decide to approve it.

7 Publication of the Results

The partners from São Paulo, Brazil, and from Israel whose proposals have been selected will be informed of the result and the amount of funding by their respective implementing organization.

8 Intellectual Property policy and Royalties repayment

a) In São Paulo:

a.1) For Mode I proposals:

i. When the Principle Investigator of a PIPE Program project has an employment relationship with the small company hosting the project, ownership of the Intellectual Property resulting from a project financed by the PIPE Program shall be held by the company hosting the project, provided that it signs an Intellectual Property Agreement.

ii. In the case of a Principle Investigator of a PIPE Program project who holds a FAPESP fellowship, FAPESP shall be the exclusive owner of the Intellectual Property rights. In this case, an Intellectual Property Agreement must be signed between the company’s Legal Representative and the Principle Investigator responsible for the Project.

a.2) For Mode II proposals:

i. There must be a Cooperation Agreement established between the higher education or research institution in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, the partner company and FAPESP in which it is established the conditions for ownership and division of royalties and any proceedings related the use of Intellectual Property rights arising from the partnership, on a case-by-case basis, according to each party’s participation.

b) In Israel:

Royalties repayment, when applicable, will follow the OCS rules and procedures.

9 Schedule

Item

Deadline

Phase I: Cooperation Form + LOI or draft MOU

November 22nd, 2013

Recommendations will be conveyed to applicants within four weeks following Cooperation Form submission and no later than

December 11th, 2013

Phase II (by invitation): Full National Funding Request will be accepted upon invitation until

December 19th, 2013

Notification of Successful Proposals, from

March 2014

Executed Grant Agreements and starting of the projects, from

April 2014

10 Information Contact

São Paulo
Mr. Diego Muñoz
Technical Advisor
Scientific Directorate
FAPESP - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
www.fapesp.br
Tel: 55-11-3838-4000
Fax: 55-11-3838-4111
chamada-fapesp-matimop@fapesp.br
R. Pio XI, 1500
Alto da Lapa
05468-901 São Paulo, SP

Israel
Ms. Ilana Gross
Manager
Latin America Desk
MATIMOP - Israeli Industry Center for R&D
www.matimop.org.il
Tel: +972 3 5118184
Fax: +972 3 5177655
ilana@matimop.org.il
Tel-Aviv 61500, Israel 29 Hamered St.
(P. 0. Box 50364)