The U.S.–Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) supports collaborative agricultural research between American and Israeli scientists. Its mission is to advance scientific solutions to shared agricultural challenges and translate research into practical applications for farmers and the broader agri-food sector. BARD funds joint R&D initiatives that address issues such as productivity in hot and arid environments, plant and animal health, food quality and safety, and environmental sustainability. In addition to research grants, BARD sponsors international workshops and provides fellowships for postdoctoral researchers, senior scientists, and graduate students.
BARD also operates specialized programs including the Food and Nutrition collaborative initiative with the Israel Innovation Authority and USDA NIFA, focusing on improving nutrition, expanding food availability, and supporting healthy consumption. Another program, the Aquaculture and Desert Farming initiative, is run in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture’s Office of the Chief Scientist and supports innovation in water-limited agricultural systems.
By fostering U.S.–Israel scientific partnerships, BARD helps address common challenges such as drought, extreme weather, population growth, and decreasing arable land, leveraging complementary strengths in agricultural innovation and research capacity.
