Three binational foundations support different kinds of U.S.-Israel research. BIRD backs joint industrial research and development by companies; BARD funds collaborative agricultural research; and BSF supports peer-reviewed academic research across scientific fields. Each pairs U.S. and Israeli participants, but the programs serve different purposes and use different funding models.
BIRD: company-led product development
The U.S. and Israeli governments established the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation in 1977. It matches U.S. and Israeli companies seeking to develop and commercialize a product together. BIRD can fund up to 50 percent of project development costs, up to $1.5 million per project, and takes no equity. Its conditional grant is repayable only if the project succeeds commercially. The foundation’s program description reports close to 1,200 approved projects since its founding; that cumulative figure changes over time.
BARD: agricultural and food research
The Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation was established in 1977 to bring U.S. and Israeli scientists together on agricultural and food-production problems relevant to both countries. It awards competitive research funding and also supports workshops and fellowships. BARD describes its scope and programs on its official about page. Its scientific grants target agricultural research, rather than commercial product development as BIRD does.
BSF: peer-reviewed science
The U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation was established by agreement in 1972. It funds collaborative research across scientific disciplines for peaceful, nonprofit purposes. Grants are awarded through competitive peer review, and the foundation is governed by a board with five American and five Israeli members. BSF states it has awarded over $1 billion in today’s value to more than 6,500 research projects. Its program overview also describes joint programs with the U.S. National Science Foundation.
For another example of bilateral economic cooperation, read the U.S.-Israel free trade agreement.