CSREES Fellows Program
Each summer, CSREES offers a Fellows Program
to faculty and staff affiliated with designated
land-grant universities. This is an opportunity
to work and study with CSREES federal staff
in Washington, DC, for 3 months.
The Program was established in 1992 for
Cooperative Extension staff in all 1890
(historically black) land-grant institutions,
Tuskegee University, and the land-grant
institutions in American Samoa, the District
of Columbia, Guam, Micronesia, North Marianas,
Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It
was later modified to include faculty affiliated
with 1994 Tribal Colleges and the Alaska
Native Serving and Hawaiian Native Serving
institutions.
In 1996, eligibility was broadened to
include all personnel at these eligible
institutions who are affiliated with food
and agricultural sciences (including agriculture,
forestry and natural resources, family
and consumer sciences, veterinary science,
and closely allied fields) in research,
extension, teaching, international programs,
and libraries. Any faculty and staff member
affiliated with these institutions may
apply, including those who applied in previous
years and were not selected. Nominations
are also welcomed. Since the Program's
inception, 44 individuals have each spent
at least 3 months in Washington, DC, working
on short-term projects in collaboration
with a USDA adviser/mentor.
The CSREES Fellows Program reflects USDA'
s commitment to advancing its relationship
with participating institutions and enhancing
the capacity of their programs and staff.
By enhancing Fellows professional growth,
the program strengthens the quality of
the land-grant programs and the mission
of CSREES.
Fostering workforce diversity, the CSREES
Fellows Program is consistent with the
President's Executive Orders 12320 and
12321 to help strengthen Historically Black
Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges
and Hispanic Serving Universities. The
USDA has recognized the program and is
emulating it with its own program with
the Hispanic Association of Colleges and
Universities.
While in Washington, DC, the Fellows receive
an orientation and work on projects relevant
to their interests and Agency needs in
collaboration with a USDA adviser/mentor.
CSREES supports about five Fellows each
summer. It furnishes travel expenses to
and from Washington, DC, per diem expenses,
plus daily commuting costs. CSREES also
provides each Fellow with office space,
secretarial support, computer training,
and opportunities for professional development.
During the Fellows Program, the sending
institution continues to pay salary and
benefits.
Applications and nominations are usually
due in March. A letter of concurrence and
support from the applicants director, administrator,
or president must accompany the application
to certify support of the applicant, and
a willingness to continue the salary and
fringe benefits of the selected Fellow
during the period of the Washington, DC,
assignment. Applications are reviewed by
a selection panel, and applicants are selected
on the basis of individual interests and
the needs of sending institutions and CSREES.
For more information about this program,
please see:
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