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Submission closed at: September 15, 2026

Pioneer Funding Track

2025 Submission BARD will receive applications across all agricultural research areas, including Agricultural Engineering, Animal Health and Production, Aquaculture, Crop Health and Production, Soil and Water Resources, Renewable Resources, Food Products, and Agricultural Economics

About the Pioneer Track

The Pioneer Track is a  funding opportunity dedicated to supporting innovative agricultural research projects that promise significant, tangible outcomes. The objective of this track is to foster the development of new directions, pioneering concepts, and novel solutions that address critical challenges in the agricultural sciences. A core requirement is that the research must yield clear and practical benefits for both participating nations.

Key Advantages

The Pioneer Track distinguishes itself by providing substantial support for applied research, with a higher award level of up to $600,000 per grant. This enables research teams to pursue more ambitious, high-impact projects.

Additional Guidelines for the 2025 Submission Round

  • Eligible Fields: BARD will receive applications across all agricultural research areas, including Agricultural Engineering, Animal Health and Production, Aquaculture, Crop Health and Production, Soil and Water Resources, Renewable Resources, Food Products, and Agricultural Economics.
  • Budget: The maximum budget for a three-year project is $600,000.  The maximum budget for a feasibility study is $180,000.
  • Pathway to Impact: The proposal must clearly articulate the potential for follow-up development efforts. This will be a critical criterion in evaluating the project’s long-term potential impact.
  • Selection Criteria: Projects are selected based on a rigorous evaluation of their innovation, scientific merit, and the potential to advance agricultural knowledge or practices. The strength of the multidisciplinary collaboration described in the proposal will also be a key consideration.

Please follow the application guidelines to apply.

Interested in applying and want to learn more? Watch the application webinar

Maximum award: $600,000 for a 3-year grant
Next submission date: September 15, 2026

More Funding Opportunities

BARD Food Security Technology Accelerator

This program is a unique opportunity to accelerate food security innovation through binational collaboration, supporting projects at critical stages of development and helping bring transformative solutions to market.
Award duration: 2 years
Maximum award: $1 million
Next submission date:
March 31, 2026

Food and Nutrition NIFA-BARD-IIA

The NIFA-BARD-IIA Food and Nutrition program will support U.S. and Israeli researchers/investigators working together with an Israeli company.
Award duration: 2 years
Maximum award: Varies with targeted IIA track

Pioneer Funding Track

2025 Submission BARD will receive applications across all agricultural research areas, including Agricultural Engineering, Animal Health and Production, Aquaculture, Crop Health and Production, Soil and Water Resources, Renewable Resources, Food Products, and Agricultural Economics
Maximum award: $600,000 for a 3-year grant

BARD Aquaculture and Desert Farming Program

This program runs in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture’s office of the Chief Scientist to support aquaculture desert farming research
Award duration: 3 years
Maximum award: $600,000 for a 3-year grant

Research Grants

Funds projects conducted cooperatively by US and Israeli scientists. Covers all phases of agricultural R&D including strategic or applied research.   For September 2025 submissions, BARD will exclusively consider Pioneer track submissions
Award duration: 3 years 
Maximum award: $310,000 for a 3-year grant 

The Va’adia-BARD Postdoctoral Fellowship

Designed to identify and support young scientists who will eventually become leaders in agricultural sciences and technologies.
Award duration: 1-2 years
Maximum award: $64,000 including travel expenses.