# What This Bill Does

This bill creates a research partnership between the United States and Israel to study and develop better treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Department of Defense would give grants to American universities and nonprofit organizations that team up with Israeli research institutions to work on PTSD research together. The idea is that both countries have significant experience dealing with PTSD in their military populations and can learn from each other's approaches.

# Why This Matters

PTSD is a serious problem affecting a lot of people. According to the bill, between 11 and 20 percent of American veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan struggle with PTSD, and the problem extends beyond the military—roughly one in five Americans who've experienced trauma deal with PTSD symptoms. The bill points out that PTSD is connected to homelessness and substance abuse among veterans. Israel, which faces ongoing security threats, has similar challenges with its veterans and has developed some specialized research and treatment programs. By pooling resources and expertise, the two countries hope to find more effective treatments than what's currently available, which mainly includes therapy-based approaches like cognitive therapy and exposure therapy.

# How It Works

American universities and nonprofits can apply for grants to conduct joint research projects with Israeli partners. The Defense Department, working with the Veterans Affairs and State Departments, would award these grants to projects that address important PTSD research questions. The program would run for seven years from the first grant award, and the Defense Department would have to report back to Congress on how the money was spent and whether the research was successful. The bill also allows the Defense Department to accept private donations specifically for this research program.

United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act

Waltz, Michael

United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act This bill establishes a grant program for collaborative efforts between the United States and Israel to advance research on post-traumatic stress disorders. The Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of State, shall award grants to eligible academic institutions or nonprofit entities in the United States. Work shall be conducted by the eligible entity and an entity in Israel under a joint research agreement.