​​​The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR) were established in Sde-Boker in 1974, following a 1972 recommendation of the council for higher education, and a 1973 decision of the Israeli government. In 1974, the Ben-Gurion University (BGU) nominated Prof. Amos Richmond to be the founder and first director of the institutes. In 1980, The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation made a generous contribution to BGU, and the institutes were named The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR). Under the BIDR umbrella, three research institutes are operated: The French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands (FAAB); The Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR)  and The Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental & Energy Research (SIDEER).

Also, the Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies​ is the home of our graduate students, coming from 20 different countries offers M.Sc./M.A. and Ph.D. study programs in “Desert Studies," “Ecology, Conservation, and Management" and “Hydrology and water quality."

The Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation (BCSC) promotes exchange programs, postdoctoral training, workshops and joint research programs with other academic institutions all over the world. 

A balanced professional blend of 90 scientists, 60 technical and administrative staff members, and over 220 Israeli and foreign research (graduate) students can perform basic and applied research related to the future and sustainability of our globe in times of enhanced natural and artificial changes. Our field of research includes water, energy, environmental physics, ecology, biotechnology, and agriculture.

Our diverse multidisciplinary research and advanced teaching activities are carried out in the laboratories, classes and other facilities on the Sede-Boqer Campus, as well as in research stations and field research sites scattered over the Negev Desert.

Deserts and other drylands constitute more than 40% of the global land area. Global environmental changes such as global warming and further desertification of drylands threaten 1,300 million people in more than 100 countries. The goal of the BIDR is to carry out research on the desert environment required for promoting sustainable uses of the Negev Desert and other drylands throughout the world. Nevertheless, our activities are not limited to drylands only. Our researchers are dealing with various water, energy, food and ecological problems under different environmental conditions.

Besides the traditional structure of research groups operating in the framework of departments, the institutes conduct the “Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies." The school is responsible for all training and teaching activities at the Institutes, and offers M.Sc./M.A. and Ph.D. study programs in “Desert Studies."