Main Characteristics of the Program

The BARD Food Security Technology Accelerator, which is jointly supported by the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation (BARD), is the most significant funding opportunity for the food security sector. The program promotes research and development activities by providing grants of up to $1 million, which, however, come with restrictions, for joint R&D projects, as a stimulus for such activities.The stipulated cheese-making countries include the United States and Israel, and the ultimate goal of the proposed research is to develop agricultural technologies that can help food systems worldwide. The subsequent deadline for submissions is March 31 of the year 2026.

The primary aim of the Accelerator is to link researchers and farmers/entrepreneurs. Amongst this aspect, the emphasis is on R&D that is already at the stage of being ready for the market. It is mainly concerned with innovations that have already passed the first two stages of the lifecycle TRL 1-2 where the main idea is done, and the investors' discussability is quite far away.

Why the BARD Accelerator Matters

Climate change, population growth, and resource limitations are placing increasing pressures on global food systems. The accelerator was founded to hasten the transition of the promising solutions from laboratory environments to where they are needed and can make a significant impact. The pairing of American and Israeli researchers with industry partners under the framework of the program promotes cross-border cooperation, sharing of knowledge, and development of stronger ties between science and applied technology.

The innovations are the ones that bring about measurable outcomes, including the technologies for climate-resilient crops, animal health, digital farming tools, and other solutions that specifically focus on upgrading agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Who Can Apply

To get the funding:

 

• Funding will be granted only if the project team consists of at least two research institutions, one from Israel, and one from the U.S.
• Moreover, there will be two industry partners, one from each country.

 

• The project has to be concerned with agricultural or food security technology within the defined TRL range.

 

• Each partner should provide a detailed account of collaboration, shared ambitions, and possible pathways to commercialization or impact in practice.

In such a case, academic partners get the total funding provided by the grant, while industry partners pay part of the project's budget. This arrangement guarantees that research objectives are in tune with the main requirements of development and keeps the partnership responsible.

Key Focus Areas

The Accelerator program is intended for projects that focus on priority sectors, for instance:

• Climate-resilient agriculture— increasing the resilience of plants and new systems to overcome harsh environmental conditions.
• Crop and animal health—the application of novel techniques for the detection and prevention of diseases in their early stages.

 

• Digital farming— adoption of high-tech farming methods and practices that facilitate the efficient use of important resources such as water and fertilizers.

The other mentioned domains that can be funded include efficient water usage, soil health, and supply chain improvements.

Expected Outcomes and Impact

Projects receiving funding should exhibit a strong likelihood of commercialization and measurable benefits to society. Plans for research activities and implementation should be included, with the goal of converting scientific knowledge into practical technologies that enhance food security.

This initiative, through its support of industry-academia collaborations and its backing of practically feasible technological solutions, is making significant contributions to the progress of food security not only in the U.S. and Israel but also worldwide.