Montana State University is part of the Diplomacy Lab network led by the Office of Global Partnerships. Diplomacy Lab is a public-private partnership that enables the State Department to "course-source" research and innovation related to foreign policy challenges by harnessing the efforts of students and faculty experts at universities across the country.
– More: http://diplomacylab.org/
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
With co-funding from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and OES, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will host 3 specialists from Morocco’s High Commission on Water, Forests, and Combatting Desertification on a study tour in Missoula, Montana, from April 6 – 15, 2019. During the study tour, the participants will visit the Forest Service Fire Sciences Laboratory and Fire Modeling Institute in Missoula to learn about the USFS systems for predictive modeling of forest fire spread risk.
– More: https://firelab.org/fire-fuel-and-smoke-science-program-and-missoula-fire-sciences-laboratory
With OES funding, the USFS will host a partner from Jordan’s Royal Society for Conservation of Nature (RSCN) to take part in a study tour to Montana and Arizona from April 7 – 19, 2019. During the study tour, he will visit the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute and the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center in Missoula, Montana, to learn about protected area management outreach and education and participate in the USFS International Seminar on Watershed Management in Flagstaff, Arizona. RSCN is an important partner for the USFS in Jordan as part of a collaboration to host the annual Arabic Leadership Seminar on Protected Area Management.
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
The Department works with nine domestic non-governmental organizations, which place refugees with more than 325 affiliates in roughly 190 communities around the country. These local affiliates work closely with community partners, congregations, volunteers, and state and local officials to provide a successful start for refugees rebuilding their lives. Refugee communities have historically enhanced the economic dynamism and cultural vitality of our nation. Refugees contribute to the United States in numerous ways, including by starting businesses and joining the U.S. military. This program helps the world’s most vulnerable refugees find permanent homes, and it demonstrates the immense generosity of the American people.
– More: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-civilian-security-democracy-and-human-rights/bureau-of-population-refugees-and-migration/
Bureau of Global Public Affairs
Under the U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Speaker Program, Dale Bosworth, a retired USDA forest service chief, traveled to five regions of Burma to speak on forest resilience and renewable energy. Bosworth addressed government officials and identified potential projects for the benefit of the community, both in economic terms and to preserve its environment. At a critical juncture in its history, Burma is considering means for achieving economic prosperity, including leveraging its natural resources via land management. The Burmese plan to send interlocutors to Montana to meet with Bosworth and to other U.S. Forest Service programs for engagement.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
282 Montana residents hosted or supported 285 International Visitor Leadership Program participants who visited the state, volunteering a total of 423 hours of service.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/ivlp
36 emerging leaders studied or participated in a fellowship in Montana on one of the Young Leaders Initiatives.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/ivlp
Travel and Security
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Total Passports Issued in Fiscal Year 2018: 63,855.
Passport Application Acceptance Facilities: 73.
In Fiscal Year 2017, the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) issued visas to 14 children who were adopted by U.S. citizens from Montana. Intercountry adoption is one CA's highest priorities. CA's Office of Children’s Issues plays an active role in the intercountry adoption process and works diligently to establish and maintain intercountry adoption as a viable option throughout the world.
– More: https://travel.state.gov/content/adoptionsabroad/en/about-us/statistics.html
Bureau of International Organization Affairs
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Waterton Glacier International Peace Park and Yellowstone National Park (with Idaho and Wyoming).
– More: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/
Bureau of Diplomatic Security
Diplomatic Security San Francisco Field Office serves Montana: Diplomatic Security has offices throughout the United States staffed with special agents and contract investigators, who conduct criminal, counterterrorism and background investigations. Agents assigned to field and resident offices assist in providing support to the protection of the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and visiting foreign dignitaries. Liaison with federal and local law enforcement, foreign mission personnel, local officials, and the private sector complements their major responsibilities.
– More: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-management/bureau-of-diplomatic-security/
The Department of State, in partnership with agencies across the federal government, creates jobs for American workers by opening markets and eliminating trade barriers overseas and by attracting foreign direct investment to the United States. In 2018, goods exported totaled $1.6 billion. Those exports supported approximately 13,079 Montanan jobs (2016) and foreign direct investment into Montana supports an additional 7,200 jobs (2016).
– More: https://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/statereports/states/mt.pdf
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs advocates in meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) for conservation of pollinators, which contribute $24 billion to the national economy and $477 million to the economy of the state of Montana for alfalfa – vital to the production of cattle for beef and dairy.
– More: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=montana&year=2017
A researcher from Montana State University received a grant from the OES-supported U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) for a joint research project with an Israeli scientist. Selected through a peer-reviewed process, the BSF research funding advances our bilateral relationship and shared scientific priorities.
– More: http://www.bsf.org.il/
The Thomas R. Pickering and Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Programs encourage applications from minority groups historically underrepresented in the U.S. Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. Each fellowship provides financial assistance towards the completion of a two year master’s degree in a field related to the Foreign Service, academic funding, mentorship and two internships – one in the U.S. and the other abroad at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Fellows commit to a minimum of five years in the Foreign Service. Currently, there are 3 active participants from the state of Montana.
– More: http://www.global.howard.edu/ralph-j-bunche/fellowship/
Education
Bureau of Global Talent Management
Diplomat-in-Residence (Stewart Devine): Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers or Specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice to students, professionals and the community about Department careers.
– More: http://careers.state.gov/connect/dir
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Four Scholars, Students and Teachers from Montana were awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and 9 international students received a Fulbright to study in Montana.
– More: https://eca.state.gov/fulbright
267 exchange visitors from overseas visited Montana and 132 Montana residents travelled overseas as part of the Department’s educational and cultural exchange funded programs.
– More: https://exchanges.state.gov/
Office of Global Partnerships
Montana State University is a participating school in the Diplomacy Lab partnership led by the Office of Global Partnerships. Diplomacy Lab is a public-private partnership that enables the State Department to "course-source" research and innovation related to foreign policy challenges by harnessing the efforts of students and faculty experts at universities across the country.
– More: http://diplomacylab.org/
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
Flathead Valley Community College and SENA Centro de Automatización Industrial in Colombia partnered to develop a curriculum providing CNC technology in conjunction with photovoltaic (solar energy) technology to advance renewable energy solutions and student learning. These exchanges were part of the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund, the dynamic public/private sector collaboration between the U.S. Department of State, Embassies, NGOs, companies, and foundations that inspires U.S. universities and colleges in the United States to team up with higher education institutions in the rest of the Western Hemisphere region.
– More: http://www.100kstrongamericas.org/
