Modify the BARD Fund

(1) the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (referred to in this section as the BARD Fund)—

(A) was established in 1977; and

(B) is a competitive funding program that supports collaborative agricultural research in areas of mutual interest to the United States and Israel;

(2) the primary mission of the BARD Fund is to bring together United States and Israeli scientists to jointly address key agricultural and food production challenges that concern both countries;

(3) since its establishment, the BARD Fund has approved more than 1,300 research projects, with a total investment of $315,000,000 that has gained $16 for every $1 spent; and

(4) research funded by the BARD Fund has led to new agricultural practices, commercial engagements, patents, and breeding rights licenses, which serve as a growth engine to the United States and Israeli economies.

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking entered into and inserting as entered into in 1977;

(2) in paragraph (2)—

(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end;

(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking sector. and inserting sector in the United States, Israel, signatories of the Abraham Accords Declaration, done at Washington September 15, 2020, Arab States that have normalized relations with Israel, and other interested nations; and; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

(C) support mid-stage research to advance cooperative agricultural research projects of mutual interest to the United States and Israel.

(C) ; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

There is authorized to be appropriated to the BARD Fund to carry out activities under this subsection $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The BARD Fund shall establish an accelerator program that supports midstage research, as determined by the technology readiness level, in priority areas established by the BARD Fund that—

(1) fast-tracks cooperative research between scientists participating in activities described in paragraph (e)(2);

(2) accelerates the successful development of agricultural research through resources and services developed by the BARD Fund;

(3) provides management guidance, technical assistance, and consulting to scientists participating in activities described in paragraph (2); or

(4) advances cooperative agricultural research projects of mutual interest to the United States, Israel, or other signatories of the Abraham Accords Declaration.

There is authorized to be appropriated to the BARD fund to carry out activities under this subsection $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.