The Institute for Desert Research was established in Sede Boqer in 1974 as a result of a recommendation made by the council for higher education in 1972, followed by a decision of the Israeli government in 1973. In 1974 the Ben-Gurion University (BGU) has nominated Prof. Amos Richmond, to be the founder and the first director of the institute. In 1980, The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation made a generous contribution to BGU, and the institute was named The Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research (BIDR).

65 scientists, 60 technical and administrative staff members, and over 100 Israeli and foreign research students, constitute a balanced blend for carrying out basic and applied research related to ?Desert Sciences?.