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The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS)

The OCS is part of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, operating since 1973. The OCS is responsible for implementing government policy regarding support and encouragement of industrial research and development.

The OCS tasks include:

	Expansion of industries technological and scientific infrastructure.
	The development of science intensive industry.
	Employment placement for scientific and technological manpower.
	Improvement of the competitiveness of the Israeli industry
	Increase national industrial production and balance of trade.

 

All OCS programs are "bottom up" and "market driven"

 

	The main support program, is the "standard" risk sharing with the industry of  market driven R&D leading to marketable processes or products.  R&D Grants are available to companies whose projects have been approved by the Research Committee of the OCS. The grants are a percentage (between 30% and 66%, depending on circumstances) of the estimated R&D expenditure. In cases where the government assisted R&D results in a commercially successful product, the developers must repay the grant through royalties.
	The MAGNET program allows the encouragement of generic- pre- competitive technological cooperation executed by consortia of industrial companies and academic research institutes.
	The Technological Incubator program supports novice entrepreneurs at the earliest stage of technological initiatives and assists them to implement their ideas by turning them into exportable commercial products.
	The Industrial Incubators encourage cooperation of industry with entrepreneurs who need the experience and support of successful companies.
	Assistance for the beta-site stage, the interim stage between R&D and marketing.
	International cooperation programs - the OCS is responsible for the implementation of the agreements signed by the Government of Israel to actively support and encourage R&D cooperation between Israeli and foreign countries.