Deadline: October 31, 2014
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the 2015 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program. The fellowship program promotes food security and economic growth by providing training and collaborative research opportunities to fellows from developing and middle-income countries.
Borlaug fellows are generally scientists, researchers or policymakers who are in the early or middle stages of their careers. Each fellow works one-on-one with a mentor at a U.S. university, research center or government agency, usually for 6-12 weeks. The U.S. mentor will later visit the fellow’s home institution to continue collaboration.
About Borlaug Fellowship Program
The Borlaug Fellowship Program honors Norman E. Borlaug, the American agronomist, humanitarian and Nobel laureate who is known as the “father of the Green Revolution.” Since the program’s inception in 2004, approximately 700 fellows from 64 countries have participated in research and training focused on a wide array of agriculture-related topics, including agronomy, veterinary science, nutrition, food safety, sanitary and phytosanitary issues, natural resource management, agricultural biotechnology, global climate change, agricultural economics and agricultural policy.
Eligibility
To be considered for the Borlaug Fellowship Program, candidates must:
- Be citizens of an eligible country
- Be fluent in English
- Have completed a Master’s or higher degree
- Be in the early or middle stage of their career, with at least two years of practical experience
- Be employed by a university, government agency or research entity in their home country
- Demonstrate their intention to continue working in their home country after completing the fellowship
Applicants are selected based on their academic and professional research interests and achievements, level of scientific competence, aptitude for scientific research, leadership potential, likelihood of bringing back new ideas to their home institution, and flexibility and aptitude for success in a cross-cultural environment. Consideration is also given to the relevance of the applicant’s research area to the research topics highlighted in the application announcement and to global food security and trade.
Application Requirements
Candidates must apply via the online application system (link below). The following information will be required:
- Completed application form
- 2-3 page program proposal and action plan
- Signed approval from applicant’s home institution
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official copy of transcript for college/university degree(s) received
- Copy of passport identification page
For more information and to apply, visit Borlaug International Fellowship Program.
