The Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) has opened its International Workshop Grant Program to support high-impact workshops that identify emerging research needs in priority agricultural innovation areas. Grants of USD 20,000–45,000 fund workshops co-led by U.S. and Israeli scientists, with a focus on water efficiency, data-driven agriculture, food security, healthy food systems, and big data. Workshops must generate actionable outcomes, publish proceedings, and promote global scientific collaboration.

BARD International Workshop Grant Program

The Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) invites joint U.S.–Israel proposals for its International Workshop Grant Program. This initiative supports workshops that advance agricultural research, strengthen binational collaboration, and identify new research needs in emerging fields.

Program Purpose

The BARD workshop program aims to:

• Promote meaningful interaction between Israeli and U.S. scientists

• Strengthen international cooperation in agricultural innovation

• Address strategic global priorities in food systems and sustainability

• Generate implementable recommendations and future research pathways
  Workshops must act as high-impact scientific conferences that produce concrete outcomes relevant to agriculture, policy, and environmental sustainability.

Priority Research Areas

Applications must address at least one of BARD’s priority areas:

1. Novel Water Use Efficiency in Agricultural Production

Focus on improving irrigation efficiency, drought resilience, and sustainable water technologies.

2. Data-Driven Decision Tools for Food Security and Rural Economic Opportunities

Includes predictive modeling, precision agriculture, AI-based decision tools, and rural development analytics.

3. Healthy Food Systems for Life

Covers nutrition, food safety, and integrated approaches to healthy dietary systems.

4. Big Data in Agriculture

Use of large-scale datasets, data integration, machine learning, and advanced analytics to solve agricultural challenges.

5. Food Security

Systems, strategies, and technologies that strengthen resilient global food supply chains.

Funding Details

• Award amount: USD 20,000–45,000

• Earliest allowable workshop date: September of the award year

• Use of funds: Scientific activities, program delivery, organizing agency expenses

• Restrictions: Sightseeing/cultural activities must not be budgeted; they must be funded by participants or external sponsors

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Scientists from public or private non-profit research institutions

• Applicants must be jointly affiliated with at least:

  • One U.S.-based scientist

  • One Israeli scientist
    Additional expectations:

• Students should be invited free of charge

• Workshop must publish proceedings, preferably in an international journal

Application Requirements

The proposal must clearly justify:

• The purpose of the workshop

• Scientific background and current knowledge gaps

• Expected agricultural impact and relevance

• How outcomes may influence research, policy, environment, or agricultural practices
  Applicants must also include:

• An interactive program structure (round-table discussions encouraged)

• A complete agenda with participants, affiliations, and topics

• Inclusion of early-career researchers and gender-balanced speakers

• Clear BARD identity in all planning and promotional materials

Required Documents (Single File Submission)

Applicants must submit one combined file containing:

1. Application cover page

2. Detailed workshop plan

3. Scientific background and relevance

4. Program outline and agenda

5. Participant list with affiliations

6. CVs of submitting scientists

7. Full budget (scientific vs. non-scientific expenses separated)

8. Statement of additional funding sources
   Workshops must use an organizing agency to manage logistics and finances.

How Proposals Are Reviewed

BARD reviews the proposals as follows:

1. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) evaluates scientific merit and relevance

2. TAC recommendations go to the Executive Director

3. Final decisions are made by the BARD Board of Directors
   Successful applicants receive written approval in May.

Post-Award Requirements

After approval, awardees must:

• Submit a complete workshop program for BARD review

• Ensure all official announcements, publications, and online materials include BARD branding

• Submit a summary report within one month after the workshop
  The summary report must include:

• Workshop program

• Summary of presentations

• Key discussion points

• Recommendations for future research and policy directions

Why This Program Matters

This workshop grant drives global agricultural innovation by:

• Enhancing U.S.–Israel scientific cooperation

• Identifying emerging challenges in agriculture

• Producing actionable research priorities

• Supporting data-driven and environmentally sustainable agriculture

• Encouraging gender equity and early-career participation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing joint U.S.–Israel submission

• Insufficient justification of scientific relevance

• Weak or non-interactive program structure

• Budget including cultural/tourism activities

• Not including BARD branding on materials

• Unclear publication plan for workshop proceedings

FAQ

1. Can the workshop include participants from countries other than the U.S. and Israel?
Yes. Global participants are allowed, but the organizing team must include at least one U.S. and one Israeli scientist.
2. Can funds cover student participation?
Yes, but students must be allowed to attend at no cost.
3. Can cultural activities be funded?
No. Cultural or sightseeing activities must be covered by participants or external sponsors.
4. Is publication of workshop proceedings mandatory?
Yes, preferably in an international scientific journal.
5. Are private non-profit institutions eligible?
Yes, as long as they conduct research and meet the program’s criteria.
6. What is the typical review timeline?
Proposals are reviewed by TAC → Executive Director → Board, with approvals issued in May.
7. Does BARD require an organizing agency?
Yes, all workshops must use an organizing agency for logistics and financial management.

Conclusion

The BARD International Workshop Grant Program offers a significant opportunity to advance binational agricultural research through expertly designed, outcome-driven workshops. By focusing on global agricultural priorities and strengthening U.S.–Israel collaboration, the program helps shape impactful research directions, enhance food security, and support innovation across the agricultural sciences.