14 million euros were approved for information technologies, about 8 million euros for nanotechnology-materials-and production processes, and about 4 million euros for aeronautics
26 million euros were approved for Israeli industrial companies and research bodies, participating in the projects of the sixth R&D program of the European Union. About 14 million euros are earmarked for information technologies, about 8 million euros for nanotechnology-materials and production processes, and about 4 million euros for aeronautics. This is according to data from the European Union Commission in Brussels. The sixth plan will operate until the end of 2006, and upon its completion, Israel's financial investment in the plan will reach approximately 190 million euros.
Among the winning entities in the field of information technologies (IST) are the companies IBM, the Aerospace Industry, Combers, Gilat, the Technological Institute in Holon, WISAIR from the RAD Group, IDEA from the Israel Defense Forces and the Technion. Research in the field of information technologies deals with various topics such as software technologies, computer embedded systems and communication components, as well as organizational applications and preservation of cultural heritage.
In the fields of nanotechnology-materials-and production processes, among others, the Electric Company, Yodafat Engineering, BGPolymers, Nano Size, Sol-Gel Technologies, Cima NanoTech, PML, as well as the Tel Aviv, Hebrew, Ben Gurion, Bar Ilan and Technion universities won. In these areas, most of the projects deal with innovative nanotechnology technologies.
Among the winning entities in the field of aeronautics: Flavm, the Aerospace Industry (6 projects), RSL Electronics, FES2000, Alvin and Siemens Israel.
The CEO of ISERD, Marcel Staun, says that at this stage the amount of the Union's commitment to grants to Israeli entities is 165 million euros. In his estimation, Israel will receive another 25 million euros, and thus the full financial investment of Israel in the program will be returned.
The Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Eli Ofer, who serves as the Chairman of the ISERD Steering Committee, says that the fact that the real return to the economy and industry in Israel from participating in the framework program is 5 to 10 times the financial investment in the program is far more important than the return on investment alone.
The Framework Program for Research and Development of the European Union was founded in 1984 with the intention of increasing European competitiveness in the fields of research and development. The program is renewed every four years, with the current program being the sixth (2002-2006). Israel is the only country outside of Europe that takes part in these programs.
