Program Description

The Israel Innovation Authority and the BARD Foundation invite Israeli Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and industrial corporations to join existing research activities in U.S. academia in the fields of food and nutrition, approved by the U.S. National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and which are expected to generate value through such collaboration. 

• Sub-program B: 
  • Support will be provided for R&D programs in food and nutrition submitted by Israeli industrial corporations, in collaboration with Israeli TTOs and U.S. research institutions.
  • These programs must include repetition and validation of research results (TRL 4) achieved by the U.S. institutions, and adaptation of the knowledge to the needs of the Israeli corporation.
• Sub-program C: 
  • Support will be provided for R&D programs in food and nutrition submitted by Israeli TTOs, accompanied by a supporting corporation, aiming to direct academic knowledge toward industrial application in Israel.
  • These programs must include a U.S. research partner and demonstrate TRL 5 readiness, to be executed within the supporting corporation.

The Objectives of the Call for Proposals:

1. Promoting joint R&D between Israel and the U.S. in food and nutrition, to improve public health and prevent chronic diseases that burden both countries. 
2. Strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and nutrition sectors by providing access to academic knowledge from both countries. 

Eligible Research Topics 

Proposals may address one or more of the following areas: 

1. Food and nutrition improvement: Improving food quality and nutritional values, food safety, food composition via genetic means, market education for dietary habits, personalized nutrition (e.g., for sensitivities, illnesses, age groups), links between nutrition and chronic diseases, development of innovative and nutritious raw materials (e.g., proteins, sugar substitutes), nutritional supplements, or  new natural functional ingredients  (e.g., thickeners, stabilizers, colorants). 
2. Increasing food source diversity and availability: Innovative cultivation methods, increasing biodiversity, producing healthy food under resource constraints (e.g., water, energy), or reducing post-harvest food loss. 
3. Healthy consumption: Personalized nutrition (e.g., microbiome, genetics, sensitivities), systems for monitoring food quality and safety (e.g., allergen detection, post-production quality preservation), behavioral change and making healthy food more appealing.

For the 2025 list of active projects funded by NIFA and available for possible collaborations under this call click here.

Target Audience

• Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), as defined in the incentive program.
• Industrial corporations, as defined in the incentive program.

Finance

Grant Budget 

• The total approved budget for all selected proposals under both frameworks will be up to NIS 8 million, funded according to the grant rates specified in Sub-programs B and C.
• Each sub-program is independent and evaluated separately.

Criteria

• Eligibility Criteria – As detailed in the guidelines of the incentive program and the relevant framework (Sub-program B or Sub-program C). 
• Evaluation Criteria – As detailed in the guidelines of the incentive program and the relevant sub-program (Sub-program B or Sub-program C). 

Important Notes

All aspects of this call – including submission, evaluation, approval or rejection of proposals, grant terms, rights and obligations (e.g., IP, reporting, royalties) – will be governed by the Innovation Law, the incentive program, the relevant tracks, and their associated procedures (including those published in the procedures section of the Innovation Authority website). 

Application Process

1. Applications must be submitted by 03/08/2025 at 12:00 PM (noon). Late submissions will not be accepted.
2. Applicants must carefully read the full guidelines of the incentive program and relevant sub-programs and ensure compliance with all eligibility conditions.
3. Applicants must follow the instructions detailed in the incentive program, the relevant sub-programs, and this call.
4. Applications must be submitted via the personal area on the Israel Innovation Authority website, using the designated form for the relevant track.
5. Applicants should monitor this call’s webpage for updates regarding both sub-programs.

This call does not constitute a commitment to approve any submitted proposal.

Application Content

The application and its appendices must include, among other things, the following elements. 

1. Clearly describe the program’s topic and its alignment with the call’s objectives, including the NIFA approval for adding the Israeli applicant to the U.S. institution’s funded project. For assistance with NIFA approvals, contact the BARD representative listed above. 
2. In the executive summary and research description, detail the joint activities and the level of synergy between the Israeli and U.S. research teams, including how the collaboration contributes to the development or transfer of technology in the fields of food and nutrition. 

Note: This is not an exhaustive list, and applicants are encouraged to expand and address additional relevant aspects.