Released on October 17, 2014
The Canada-Israel Industrial Research Development Foundation (CIIRDF), the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Embassy of Israel in Canada today announced a new program that will facilitate industry-led Research and Development (R&D) collaboration between Saskatchewan and Israel, and strengthen the innovation and economic ties between the two jurisdictions. The Saskatchewan-Israel R&D Collaboration Program will enable the joint development and commercialization of new technologies in areas of shared expertise including agriculture, clean technology, minerals, nuclear research and energy. The emerging bilateral partnerships promise to yield new products that help collaborating companies break new ground in global markets, and generate export revenues that grow the economies of both Saskatchewan and Israel.Building on the outcomes of the Saskatchewan Science and Innovation Mission to Israel led by Innovation Saskatchewan in March 2014, the pilot program will capitalize on the complementary R&D strengths and resources of both jurisdictions. Managed by CIIRDF, the program will leverage investment from the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Office of the Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy in Israel. It will stimulate and support industry-led R&D projects that increase the competitiveness of firms in high growth sectors.
Within Saskatchewan, CIIRDF will work closely with the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS), the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII), the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre for Nuclear Innovation (SFCNI), and the Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC). Together with these organizations and the Office of the Chief Scientist of Israel, CIIRDF will broker new relationships among prospective technology partners; host bilateral R&D workshops and technology road mapping activities; conduct bilateral calls for proposals; and co-fund selected R&D projects. It will also help Saskatchewan and Israeli firms to identify and pursue additional project partners and investment within each jurisdiction, and in other nations such as India, China and Brazil.
"While the roots of the Canada-Israel relationship are our shared democratic values and common interests, the stem is increasingly becoming our growing ties in research and innovation,” Israel’s Ambassador to Canada Rafael Barak said. “I am confident that this new program will not only improve our economies and bring value-added jobs to Saskatchewan and Israel, but it will also lead to innovative technologies that improve lives around the world.”
“There is considerable power in partnerships and the Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to be working together with the CIIRDF to share knowledge, expand our research and innovation capabilities, and further strengthen the relationship with our friends in Israel,” Minister responsible for Innovation Jeremy Harrison said. “This agreement helps expand our knowledge economy and the work of our major economic sectors, with lasting benefits for everyone who calls Saskatchewan home.”
“Through this bold new initiative, CIIRDF will identify technological synergies between Saskatchewan and Israeli companies in four priority areas,” CIIRDF President Dr. Henri Rothschild said. “This will generate many R&D partnerships that can be funded through our existing programs. Our program also leverages additional resources, multiplying the value of every dollar invested through CIIRDF by a factor of almost four. It is a model that accelerates R&D and revenue generation for collaborating firms. The partnerships that emerge from this program will deliver long-term economic benefit to Saskatchewan and Israel.”
About the Canada-Israel Industrial Foundation (CIIRDF)
The Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (CIIRDF) stimulates and invests in collaborative research and development between private sector companies in Canada and Israel, with a focus on the commercialization of new technologies. Established in 1994 under a formal treaty from the Governments of Canada and Israel, CIIRDF is connected institutionally with the Office of the Chief Scientist in Israel's Ministry of the Economy. Leveraging a unique bilateral governance structure, and recognized as one of the most successful partnership models of its kind, CIIRDF has financed more than 90 technology partnerships that enabled the joint development and sale of more than 50 products. This has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic value for Canadian and Israeli companies over the past decade. The foundation promotes the benefits of Canada-Israel R&D collaboration; offers a match-making service to companies; and provides early-stage investment for Canada-Israel R&D that leverages the complementary capabilities, expertise and resources of each partner. For additional information, please visit: www.ciirdf.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Shanna Schulhauser
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5582
Email: shanna.schulhauser@gov.sk.ca
Sonya Shorey
CIIRDF
Email: sonyashorey@rogers.com; sonyashorey@ciirdf.ca
Cell: 613-851-9416
Howard Fremeth
Embassy of Israel in Canada
Email: Press@Ottawa.mfa.gov.il
Cell: 613-324-0400