The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pleased to announce
the initiation of The Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science
and Technology Fellowship Program (Borlaug Fellows Program) Initiative for
Organic Certification Systems in Africa. The Borlaug Fellows Program offers
training and collaborative research opportunities in international
agricultural science, leadership and policy to develop guidelines and
regulations; build trade and scientific capacity; and improve regional
coordination and market access. Each Fellow will work one-on-one with a
mentor who will coordinate the Fellow’s training and visit the Fellow's home
institution after completion of the training.
The 2008 Borlaug Fellows Program is administered by the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in
cooperation with Washington State University and Colorado State University.
The application deadline for the 2008 Borlaug Fellows
Program
for Organic Certification Programs is April 20 , 2008.
Objectives
Provide agricultural research scientists, faculty and policymakers
with one-on-one training opportunities in the fields of agricultural
research (see targeted research areas below);
Provide scientists, faculty and policymakers with practical
experience and exposure to new technologies that can enhance their own
research endeavors;
Foster increased collaboration and networking to improve
agricultural productivity;
Facilitate the transfer of new science and agricultural technologies
to strengthen agricultural practices;
Address obstacles to the adoption of technology such as ineffectual
policies and regulations.
Targeted Research and Training Areas
1. Production Research (e.g. Organic production methods and systems)
2. Certification guidelines and regulations( USDA and state
certification)
3. Policy Issues (Program development and export guidelines)
4. Extension Services (e.g. Farm Management/Co-ops, Niche Market
Development)
Length of Fellowships
Fellowships are generally for 6 weeks but can be slightly
longer if merited by the research topic.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates will be evaluated, interviewed and selected
based on the following criteria:
Citizens of the AGOA countries;
Good working knowledge of the English language;
Minimum Masters degree with 3 years of practical
experience or working toward Masters degree with 5 years
experience;
Early-to-mid stage in their professional career;
Currently employed at a research or policy institution with the
intent to continue working in their home country for a minimum of two
years following their return from the United States.
Application Requirements
Eligible candidates are invited to submit the complete application
including the following attachments no later than April 20, 2008.
Application
form
One page program proposal
Approval of the home institution
Two letters of recommendation
Official copy of transcript of college degrees
Copy of passport identification page
Two passport sized photos
For application materials, questions and to submit applications, please
contact:
Karen Uetrecht at Karen.uetrecht@fas.usda.gov or
Abiola Adeyemi at Abiola.adeyemi@fas.usda.gov
