The state is deepening its relationship with Israel's startup scene with a new grant program designed to provide funding to Israeli companies seeking to test and pilot their mobility technologies in Michigan.

Grant recipients of the Israel Michigan Autonomous Technologies Collaboration program will have access to the state's roadways and facilities, including the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township, to test and pilot their technologies, according to a Thursday news release.

Projects will be awarded a 50/50 grant funding match, financed by PlanetM and Israel Innovation Authority, according to the application's website.

The program was launched as part of a partnership between PlanetM, the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s mobility arm, the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator and the Israel Innovation Authority, the release said. The program backs technologies in areas including autonomous and connected vehicles, smart manufacturing and more.

Representatives from PlanetM announced the program at EcoMotion in Tel Aviv, a conference that showcases the country's smart transportation, according to the release.

Companies will also have access to Michigan's technology incubators, accelerators and industry leaders. Through the program, companies can run clinical trials, adjust their technology to meet the market's needs and gain "regulatory experience and commercialization channels," according to the application's website.

Michigan's mobility landscape will allow Israeli startups to test and deploy their products in extreme weather conditions, a key piece to advancing the global development of mobility technologies, the release said.

"We're excited to see this program come to fruition," Seun Phillips, managing director of PlanetM, said in the release. "Our goal with this program is to provide a clear, accelerated path toward real-world deployment here in Michigan for Israeli startups developing new mobility technology, providing them with the resources and funding they need to be successful."

Applications for the first round of grants are open through Sept. 3. For more information, visit planetm.com/test-and-pilot.

An MEDC representative did not immediately return a request for comment.