# Plain Language Summary: US-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2021

This bill creates a new grant program run by the Department of Homeland Security that funds joint research projects between American and Israeli organizations working on cybersecurity. The program is designed to help develop new ways to protect against, detect, and recover from cyberattacks. Eligible participants include private companies, universities, government labs, and nonprofits in both countries, and they can team up with their counterparts across the ocean to tackle cybersecurity challenges together.

To receive funding, projects must be joint ventures—meaning an American organization must partner with an Israeli one (or the U.S. government can partner directly with the Israeli government). The organizations applying for grants have to contribute at least half the project costs themselves, though the Department of Homeland Security can waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis if needed. All funded projects must be unclassified, meaning the research results won't be kept secret by either country. The bill sets aside at least $6 million per year from 2022 through 2026 to support these collaborative efforts.

The practical impact of this bill is fairly limited for most Americans. It primarily affects tech companies, research institutions, and academic centers that work on cybersecurity and might want to collaborate internationally. By encouraging U.S.-Israeli partnerships, the bill aims to speed up innovation in cybersecurity technology that could eventually benefit American national security and private sector defenses. The program also includes an advisory board to oversee how grants are awarded and ensure the money is spent effectively. For taxpayers, this represents a relatively modest investment in international research cooperation focused on protecting against digital threats.

United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2021

Langevin, James R.

United States-Israel Cybersecurity Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish a grant program that contributes to the homeland security capabilities of both the United States and Israel by supporting cybersecurity research and development as well as the demonstration and commercialization of cybersecurity technology. Grant applicants must address a requirement in the area of cybersecurity research or cybersecurity technology and be comprised of a joint venture between a U.S. entity and an Israeli entity (or the governments of each country).