INNOFENSE

INNOFENSE — Dual-Use Defense Innovation Grant

Helps Continuous defensetech startup grant co-funded by MAFAT and IIA for dual-use through the INNOFENSE DualUse Defense Innovation Grant.

INNOFENSE is a dual-use defense innovation grant administered by MAFAT — Israel's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), the joint administrative R&D body of Israel's Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces. MAFAT employs approximately 1,000 personnel across five major subdivisions covering military R&D, science and technology, missile defense, UAV administration, and space and satellite operations. INNOFENSE is co-funded with the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) and is designed to connect Israeli startups developing technology with applications in both defense and civilian markets to MAFAT's network of defense primes, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and Elbit Systems.

Eligibility is restricted to Israeli registered and operating for-profit startups. Technology must demonstrate genuine dual-use potential — both a defense application and a civilian commercial application are required; pure civilian projects are explicitly out of scope. MAFAT's published focus areas encompass AI and digital security, cyber capabilities, autonomous systems and robotics, aerospace and space technologies, land-based military systems, and marine technology. Specific award amounts, application page limits, and submission portal details are not disclosed on the public-facing program page. In January 2026, MAFAT issued a policy commitment to allocate at least 10% of its annual R&D budget to startups; during 2025, Israeli defense-tech startups collectively secured NIS 1.08 billion in government orders.

Organizations interested in applying should subscribe to MAFAT's newsletter and contact the agency directly, as solicitation details are not published broadly. Because IIA co-funds the program, applicants should also familiarize themselves with IIA grant mechanics, as both agencies' eligibility requirements and reporting obligations will apply. Companies with existing relationships with Rafael, IAI, or Elbit are particularly well-positioned, as INNOFENSE explicitly uses those prime contractors as part of its industry engagement model.