| What is the
purpose of the Program? |
The Borlaug
Fellows Program was established to promote food security and economic
growth in developing and middle-income countries by increasing
scientific knowledge and supporting collaborative research to improve
agricultural productivity. The Program seeks to increase cooperation and
networking among scientists, researchers, policymakers and regulators
from around the globe. |
| What does a
Fellowship consist of? |
The Fellowship
provides promising individuals in the early stages of their careers with
a short-term opportunity to work closely with U.S. or international
experts at a host institution in their field of agricultural science or
policy. They will be exposed to cutting edge knowledge and research
techniques, carry out laboratory and field research, enjoy access to
fully equipped libraries, make professional contacts, and learn about
public-private partnerships, working one-on-one with a mentor. |
| How long
will the Fellowships last? |
Fellowships can
last anywhere from four to eight weeks. Longer Fellowships for
collaborative research and long-term degree training may also be offered
depending on funding availability. |
| Who sponsors
the Borlaug Fellows Program? |
The Borlaug Fellows Program brings together international agricultural science
and technology training programs of the U.S. Government. The Program is
sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and State and the U.S.
Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Trade Development
Agency. |
| Are training
locations limited to the United States or are there overseas
opportunities? |
Training and
collaborative research opportunities will be sponsored by universities
and government agencies in the United States as well as regional and
international agricultural research centers and public and private
sector research and policy institutions worldwide. Programs that include
partnership with centers associated with the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research system or other international
centers will receive priority. |
| Do I have to
be a scientist? |
No. The Program
also offers training and collaborative research opportunities for
international agricultural researchers, faculty members, policymakers
and regulators. |
| How are
programs developed? |
Training
programs offer a mixture of technical instruction and practical field
experience, tailored to the training objectives discussed during the
interview and application process. Therefore, it is important that the
application contain detailed information on the candidate’s background
and research interests. |
| What
thematic areas does the Program cover? |
The program
encompasses the wide variety of agricultural technologies related to
production, processing and marketing that support global food security
and trade. The program also addresses obstacles to the adoption of
technology in the areas of policy, regulations, human capital and
scientific infrastructure. Training can be in any agriculture-related
field - agronomy, plant pathology, entomology, veterinary sciences,
microbiology, biotechnology, agricultural economics, sustainable
agriculture, environmental sciences and natural resources management,
biofortification and nutrition, systems for sharing knowledge, food
safety, plant and animal health, global climate change, and water
quality and management. |
| How does one
apply to be a fellow? |
Applicants must
apply through the USDA/FAS office or the U.S. AID office at the U.S.
Embassy or at a designated partner institution in their country of
origin. |
| What types
of forms are required? |
There is a
single
application form. |
| What kind of
supplementary documentation is required? |
In addition to
the application form, applicants must provide signed approvals from an
official representative of their home institution and the U.S. Embassy;
a one-page Statement of Scientific Experience and Research Interests;
college transcripts; curriculum vitae; two letters of
recommendation; a copy of the identification page of the applicant’s
passport; and two passport-size photos. |
| Where can I
get an application form and instructions? |
An
application
form and instructions are available from the Borlaug Program Adviser for
each country. Basic information on
how to apply is available online. |
| Can U.S.
citizens apply? |
No. The Program
is for citizens of developing or middle-income countries. |
| Do I have to
speak English? |
Yes. All
Program correspondence and instruction will be in English. Applicants
must have an adequate working knowledge of written and spoken English. |
| When is the
application deadline? |
The application
deadline varies by country. Please refer to the country-specific page. |
| What is the
selection criteria used in reviewing applications? |
Applicants are
selected based on their academic and professional achievement, 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 in relation to the agricultural
research needs of their country and to global food security and trade. |
| What does a
Fellowship cover? |
The Program
covers U.S. travel and lodging of Fellows and mentors,
educational and laboratory materials, and health insurance for medical
emergencies. For non-U.S. government sponsors, the Program will provide
a stipend to the mentor and Program coordinator. |
| Is my
country eligible for funding? |
Although open
to participants from developing or middle-income countries worldwide,
the Program gives priority to Fellows from Africa, Latin and Central
America, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia. The priority countries for 2007 are
Africa (women
from Ghana,
Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia),
Armenia,
Bolivia,
Bulgaria,
Ecuador,
Georgia,
Guyana,
Montenegro,
Oman,
Peru,
Poland,
Romania,
Serbia,
Sri
Lanka and
Yemen.
Additional countries will be
added as funding becomes available. |
| How can my
institution participate in the Borlaug Fellows Program? |
An institution
can host Borlaug Fellows or designate a Borlaug Program Adviser to help
identify and screen applicants. A partner institution must be a
university or a public or private agricultural research institution with
an international or regional focus and must also have experience
implementing international training and collaborative research programs
and adequate administrative capacity for Program logistics, (e.g., visa
applications and clearance, air tickets, housing, payment of living
allowances, etc.). Host institutions will be chosen based on
availability of suitable Mentors in the fields of study of the
successful candidates. |
| Can a
Fellowship cover a university research assistant? |
The Fellowships
are intended to provide opportunities to developing and middle income
citizens who would not otherwise have a learning opportunity outside of
their home country. Students already on university assistantships would
not likely fall into this category. |
| May I bring
my family? |
Family members
are discouraged from accompanying or joining a participant while he/she
is in training. The Program does not fund any expenses related to family
members accompanying the participant and is not responsible in any way
for family members. |
| Will there
be follow-up training opportunities? |
Yes. Borlaug
Fellow Alumni will get priority consideration for other U.S.
international agricultural training and research grants. |
| How can I
get additional information? |
More
information is available on the country-specific pages and lists contact
people. |
