The US–Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD), the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), and the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) are pleased to announce the selected projects for the 2025 NIFA–BARD–IIA Food and Nutrition Program. The total funding for this cycle amounts to $2.1 million (USD), or approximately 6.6 million NIS.
This unique trilateral framework supports academic–industry collaborations between Israeli and American scientists and Israeli companies. The newly funded projects address key challenges in crops, food production, and nutrition, promoting innovation that will benefit both nations’ agricultural and food sectors.
Accelerating Barley Improvement
The project led by Dr. Eyal Fridman (Agricultural Research Organization, Israel), Dr. Jessica A. Torrion (Montana State University, USA), and 1939 Seeds (Israel), focuses on accelerating barley breeding through the integration of genomic prediction and artificial intelligence tools. The research will enhance breeding efficiency and resilience across diverse environments, contributing to improved grain quality, resource use, and dry weather adaptability for farmers in both Israel and the US.
Clean Culture – Cultivated Meat without Antibiotics
Dr. Roni Rak (Agricultural Research Organization), Prof. David Kaplan (Tufts University), and Alef Farms (Israel) are addressing microbial contamination issue – one of the main bottlenecks in cultivated meat production – without relying on antibiotics. The team is developing natural antimicrobial biopolymers derived from plant-based materials to create a food-grade, contamination-resistant cell culture environment. The project aims to improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of cultivated meat production.
Enhancing Potato Storage and Quality
A collaboration between Dr. Dani Eshel (Agricultural Research Organization), Prof. Lisa J. Mauer (Purdue University), and Hevel Maon Ltd. (Israel) aims to improve the long-term storage of potatoes by analyzing the biochemical processes that influence dormancy, sugar levels, and frying quality during cold storage. The research seeks to identify early markers for dormancy release, enabling better storage management and reduced reliance on chemical sprout inhibitors – ultimately improving food quality and reducing postharvest waste.
TR4-Resistant Bananas – Safeguarding Global Production
Dr. Yotam Zayit (Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Dr. Amit Levy (University of Florida), and Rahan Meristem Ltd. (Israel) are tackling Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a devastating soil-borne disease threatening global banana production. Building on Rahan Meristem’s epimutagenesis platform, the team is evaluating new TR4-resistant Cavendish banana lines and identifying the genetic and physiological traits that confer resistance. The findings will support long-term strategies to protect banana production and maintain stable supply chains in both Israel and the United States.
These projects represent the shared vision of BARD, NIFA, and the Israel Innovation Authority to strengthen agricultural innovation and research collaboration. By uniting the expertise of leading scientists and industry partners, the program drives forward sustainable food technologies that contribute to improved nutrition and food security in both countries.
