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Vision and Mission

The primary rational of BARD’s activities is to bring together U.S. and Israeli scientists to confront important agricultural challenges that are common to the two countries.

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Our vision

To catalyze purpose-driven research and collaborative innovation in Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition, transforming global future food systems with more sustainable approaches.

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Our mission

To stimulate, promote and support mission oriented, strategic, and applied research of Agriculture, food and Nutrition challenges jointly conducted by American and Israeli Scientists

The Binational Agriculture Research & Development Foundation

BARD Established in 1977, BARD is a competitive funding program that supports collaborative agricultural research in areas of mutual interest to the U.S. and Israel. The primary mission of BARD is to bring together U.S.

BARD also supports international workshops and offers fellowships for postdoctoral research, senior research scientists and graduate students. Over 40 years, BARD approved more than 1,300 research projects with total investment of $315 million.  

BARD-funded research outputs led to new agriculture practices, commercial engagements, patents and breeding rights licenses, which serve as a growth engine to both US and Israeli economies. An independent external review showed at least $16 gained for every $1 spent in the program since its inception. 

BARD Research Priorities

The following priorities were chosen by a binational committee as of June 2021

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION CHALLENGES IN INCREASED MARGINAL CONDITIONS

Including climate change & abiotic stress factors such as drought, salinity, high temperatures, nutrient, and soil stress.

IMPROVED EFFICIENCY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Including sustainable development and engineering, enhancing nutritional value, efficient use of resources & agricultural waste, economic evaluation of policies,regulation, and labor; use of functional genomics & proteomics to protect and produce traits supporting increased crop yield and genetic optimization in animals,focus on heterosis opportunities & consequences.

FOOD QUALITY, SAFETY AND SECURITY

Including improved assessment and detection methods, nutritive value and post-harvest treatment, reduction of food loss & waste, enhanced supply chain quality and technologies, functional foods, development of alternative quality protein sources including plants, fungi, algae, insects & tissue.

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING/ PRECISION AGRICULTURE

Sensors, instrumentation, & control systems; robotics and artificial intelligence; mechanization for improving labor efficiency; biological engineering, biotechnology, nanotechnology.

PLANT, ANIMAL AND AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT DEFENSE

Including pest and host genetics, invasive species & emerging diseases, early stress detection and rapid point of care methods, development of safe and bio-secure biological, physical & chemical control measures.

SOIL & WATER, QUALITY AND QUANTITY

Including efficient use of low-quality water (grey, black, saline), improved economic return for water in agriculture, crop response to soil & water quality & their constituents, impact of nutrients and agricultural chemicals on water quality.

SUSTAINABLE AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Including sustainable ag-based energy systems for reduced energy costs, bioconversion technologies, agricultural feedstock, controlled environment and urban agriculture, renewable resources and ecosystem services, circular bioeconomy, reducing agricultural waste.