Notice

Memorandum of Understanding between UK and Israel on cooperation in science, technology, research and innovation

Published 20 September 2023

The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MOST) of the State of Israel and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Sides’;

Based on the cultural convention between the government of the State of Israel and the government of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, signed in London, on June 10 1969;

Reaffirming the special relationship between their countries, and that elevating international cooperation across scientific research, technology, and innovation will strengthen the bonds and understanding between their governments and peoples;

Recognising the value of advanced science, technology and scientific innovation, to the creation of opportunities for economic development, in both the private and public sectors;

Recognising the desire of the scientists and research institutions in the two countries to further strengthen scientific cooperation;

Have reached the following understandings.

Paragraph 1: Objectives

1. The primary objective of the collaboration under this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as: MoU) is to promote scientific and technological cooperation and research exchange between the Sides in the scientific and innovative fields which the Sides consider important in order to achieve sustainable economic and social growth.

2. This will be achieved through expanding and maximising cooperation in scientific research and innovation and the Sides will work together to support their respective research and innovation communities in bilateral activities that strengthen cooperation, scientific excellence and impact of research and innovation.

3. Collaboration under this MoU will be built on existing UK-Israel science, scientific research, and innovation agreements. It will not preclude other bilateral or multilateral cooperation activities in scientific research and innovation in which each participant may take part.

4. This MoU does not preclude the 2017 MoU between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the State of Israel on Bilateral Cooperation in Research, Development and Technological Innovation.

Paragraph 2: areas for collaborative activities

1. 1. The Sides through this collaboration will support research based on scientific excellence, in areas that make the maximum contribution to each of the Sides economic and social development.
   
2. 2. The Sides will mutually decide the research fields and thematic areas the MoU will focus on. The areas of collaboration will include, but will not be limited to:
   
   1. i. Sustainability and environmental protection – including climate change, clean energy, water, etc.
   2. ii. Health and medicine - including wellbeing, drug design and development, medical technologies, 3rd age, alternative protein, etc.
   3. iii. AI – including deep learning and applications in the public sector
   4. iv. Space – including civil space research, education, etc.
   5. v. Other areas as may be mutually decided upon by the Sides
3. 3. Additional areas of collaboration may be added with mutual written consent of the Sides.

Paragraph 3: types of collaborative activities

1. 1. This MoU may facilitate, but will not be limited to, the following types of collaborative activities:
   1. i. Establishment of a bilateral cooperation programs to fund jointly research and innovative scientific projects in priority areas, as decided upon by the Sides;
   2. ii. Supporting of cooperative research projects conducted by scientists of both countries;
   3. iii. Establishment of joint scientific innovation programs for utilization of scientific research results, including the establishment of multi-site test-beds for new scientific innovations;
   4. iv. Supporting of joint seminars, symposia and other meetings;
   5. v. Exchange of information on methods for expanding the research activities of both countries;
   6. vi. Arranging mutual visits among officials, researchers, scholars and students with the aim of promoting joint scientific research projects and providing opportunities for policy exchange;
   7. vii. Developing collaborative scientific research initiatives, including joint projects to encourage scientific innovation in fields to be decided upon by the Sides.
2. 2. Other cooperative activities as may be decided upon mutually by the Sides.

Paragraph 4: activity requirements

1. 1. The collaborative activities to be carried out under this MoU should meet the following requirements:
   1. i. All collaborative activities should be of high scientific standard and beneficial to the advancement of science and technology.
   2. ii. Each collaborative activity should be significant, from a scientific point of view, and as a project for bilateral cooperation.
   3. iii. All cooperation under this MoU should be performed on a basis of mutuality and equality.

Paragraph 5: executing authority

1. The executing authorities for the purpose of this MoU on behalf of the government of the State of Israel will be the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MOST) and on behalf of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland the Executive Authority will be the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Paragraph 6: other entities

1. The Sides will encourage and facilitate, where appropriate, the development of direct contact between policy makers in government, government agencies, research organisations and higher education institutions.

Paragraph 7: management of MoU

1. MOST and DSIT will each designate Lead Managers, to be responsible for communications and resolutions of specific issues relating to the MoU.

2. To supervise cooperation under this MoU, the Sides will meet at regular intervals to review and discuss past, current and future cooperation and address any concerns.

3. The meetings will be comprised of the Lead Managers, representatives of the corresponding ministries (MOST and DSIT) and if appropriate, relevant national partners and technical experts may be asked to attend individual meetings.

4. In addition, where appropriate, the Sides will designate one or more expert organisations to be responsible for collaborations in the fields listed in Paragraph II of this MoU.

Paragraph 8

1. This MoU does not constitute an international agreement and does not create any legally binding obligations between the Sides under either international or national law. Cooperation under this MoU will take place within the framework of applicable national legislation and international obligations.

2. All activities carried out by either MOST or DSIT under this MoU will be performed in compliance with its internal laws, regulations, and policies and within the limits of their available resources.

3. All disputes between the Sides concerning the interpretation and/or implementation of this MoU will be settled amicably through consultations and negotiations between the Sides.

4. This Memorandum may be modified by mutual written consent of the Sides.

Paragraph 9: funding and resources

1. This MoU does not commit the executive authorities of this MoU to the specific expenditure of funds.

2. The Sides acknowledge a shared ambition to develop joint science, research and innovation collaborations within the next 5 years, inclusive but not limited to the themes and activities outlined in this MoU.

Paragraph 10: intellectual property, business-confidential Information

1. If the Sides jointly determine that a particular activity may lead to the creation of intellectual property or the exchange of business-confidential information, they will consult with each other and make appropriate written arrangements for the protection and allocation of such intellectual property and business-confidential information, consistent with the aim of achieving sustainable economic and social growth.

2. For the purposes of sub-paragraph 1, information may be identified as ‘business-confidential’ if a person having the information may derive an economic benefit from it or may obtain a competitive advantage over those who do not have it, and the information is not generally known or publicly available from other sources, and the owner has not previously made the information available without imposing in a timely manner an obligation to keep it confidential.

Paragraph 11: UK-Israel Bilateral Roadmap

1. The UK and Israel signed the UK-Israel Bilateral Roadmap in March 2023. This roadmap defines plans to deepen bilateral collaboration between the Sides until 2030, including through a science and technology partnership and the delivery of joint projects. The roadmap serves as a living document and will involve regular high-level engagement. The ambitions for the bilateral relationship outlined in the roadmap will evolve over time.

2. This MoU is a key deliverable outlined within the UK-Israel Bilateral Roadmap. The Sides jointly decide to work to ensure that the activities being undertaken through this MoU continue to support the ambitions for strategic partnership in Science, Innovation and Technology set out in the roadmap.

Paragraph 12: duration, effective date and termination

1. This MoU will come into effect on the date of its signature by the representatives of the Sides.

2. This MoU will be valid for a period of five (5) years and will subsequently be extended thereafter annually. Either MOST or DSIT may terminate this MoU, prior to its expiration, by transmitting a written notice of its intention, at least six (6) months before the desired date of termination.

3. The termination of this MoU will not affect activities jointly approved and in progress under the terms of this MoU, until their completion, unless the Sides mutually decide in writing otherwise.

Done in London on September 20, 2023, which corresponds to the 5th of Tisheri 5784 in the Hebrew calendar, in two originals in the English language, both texts being equally authentic.

Minister Ofir Akunis on behalf of The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MOST) of the State of Israel

Minister George Freeman on behalf of The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland