Country Eligibility: To be eligible, a country may be classified as middle-income, an emerging democracy, and/or an emerging market. In any case, the country’s principal agricultural exports must not compete significantly with U.S. agricultural commodities and products in international trade.

The following countries are eligible for 2001:
(click the map for more information)

	Algeria, Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe
	China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Yemen
	Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela
	Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey
	Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Training Focus: The Cochran Program offers short-term, non-academic training programs. Most range from 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the objectives of the program. Training is provided via a mix of technical instruction, practical field observations, and hands-on experience. The Cochran Program works closely with USDA agencies, other government agencies, universities, and U.S. agricultural trade and market development associations to provide appropriate training. No training will be approved which directly enhances a country's ability to export goods in competition with the United States.

Applicant Eligibility: The program is open to the staff of agribusinesses, government departments, universities, and other agricultural organizations. In their own countries, applicants may be managers, technicians, scientists, professors, administrators, and/or policy makers.

All participants must be in good health. The Cochran Fellowship Program strongly advises a thorough physical exam prior to traveling to the United States.

Participants proficient in the oral and written usage of the English language are preferred.

Selection Procedure: Applicants are required to complete an application form in English. This form can be obtained from the USDA Agricultural Affairs Office at the U.S. Embassy in the eligible country (click here for contact information) or from the Cochran Program office in Washington, DC. Selection is based upon an in-country interview by Cochran Program staff or their designee. Final approval of candidates will be made by a USDA committee (chaired by the Cochran Fellowship Program Director) on the basis of candidates’ qualifications, FAS Officers’ recommendations, an interview, and country-specific training needs.

Training: Training will take place as soon as the appropriate training program can be arranged. The Cochran Fellowship Program Officer selects training schedules on the basis of (1) seasonal variances and growing seasons, (2) trainer availability, and (3) schedules at training sites.

International Travel: The Cochran Program does not fund international travel to and from the participating country, except in certain countries of the Newly Independent States. Countries eligible for travel assistance: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

What We Provide: For selected participants, the Cochran Program provides domestic U.S. travel costs, emergency medical insurance, modest food and lodging, and, where applicable, training fees.

Availability of Fellowships: Applicants can now apply for 2001 fellowships, and should follow the guidelines provided in the Selection Process paragraph above.

For further information, contact the appropriate staff person for the country/region in question (refer to the regional links in the Country Eligibility paragraph above) or Gary Laidig, Program Leader: