1. United States-Israeli cooperation
Amendments— Section 917(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17337(a)) is amended—
by striking “and” at the end of paragraph (6);
by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and inserting “; and”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(8) the National Science Foundation of the United States should collaborate with the Israel Science Foundation.”
U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation— The U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation, created pursuant to the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of Commerce and the Israeli Ministry of Industry and Trade (now the Ministry of Economy) is authorized to facilitate research and development and technology partnerships among United States and Israeli researchers, and business and industrial entities for purposes of advancing technologies, leading to commercialization and domestic manufacturing, and creating benefits for both nations. The Department of Commerce, through the Deputy Secretary’s office and in conjunction with Israel’s Ministry of Economy’s Chief Scientist, shall ensure that the U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation maintains its role as facilitator of the reauthorized 1994 Memorandum of Understanding to create and execute joint research and development agreements between Israel and United States entities, including United States Federal agencies, States, cities, businesses, academic institutions, and scientific foundations.