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Frequently Asked Questions |
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About the Program
Eligibility
Applying
About the Program
What is the Borlaug
Fellowship Program?
The Norman E. Borlaug International
Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program
(Borlaug Fellowship Program) offers training and
collaborative research opportunities for early and
mid-career researchers and
policymakers from developing and middle-income
countries.
What is
the purpose of the Program?
The Borlaug Fellowship 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 to mid stages of their careers
with a short-term opportunity to work closely with
U.S. experts at a host institution
in their field of agricultural science or policy.
They are exposed to cutting edge knowledge and
research techniques while working one-on-one with a
mentor in their field of study. During the
fellowship, participants carry out laboratory and/or field
research, enjoy access to fully equipped libraries,
make professional contacts within the U.S. research
and government communities, and learn more about
public-private partnerships.
How long will the
Fellowship last?
Fellowships generally last up to
twelve weeks depending on the
research topic and funding availability.
What costs does a
Fellowship cover?
The Fellowship covers all program related expenses
as budgeted by the host institution. These
covered costs include airfare, housing, health
insurance, research materials, and per diem (daily
allowance for meals and incidentals).
Who sponsors the Borlaug
Fellowship Program?
The Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
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.
What thematic areas does
the Program cover?
The
program encompasses the wide variety of agricultural
topics related to production, processing and
marketing that support global food security and
trade. Training can be offered in any
agriculture-related field including agronomy, plant
pathology, entomology, veterinary sciences,
microbiology, agricultural biotechnology, agricultural economics,
natural resources management, biofortification and
nutrition, agricultural extension, food safety,
plant and animal health, global climate change, and
agricultural policy. Agricultural topics allowed
vary from country to country and can be found in the
country-specific application announcements posted on
the website.
How are programs
developed?
Training
programs are tailored to the training objectives
listed in the candidate's proposal and discussed
during the interview process. Therefore, it is important
that the application contain detailed information on
the candidate’s background and research interests.
Programs are further developed once the applicant
has been accepted to the program and begins to
consult with their U.S. mentor.
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 to family accompanying the participant and
is not responsible in any way for family members.
Eligibility
Do I have to be a
scientist?
No. The
Program offers training and collaborative research
opportunities for international agricultural
researchers, faculty members, policymakers, and
regulators.
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.
Can U.S. citizens apply?
No. The
Program is for citizens of developing or
middle-income countries. Only citizens of the
country where the Borlaug Fellowship Program is
offered can apply.
Applying
How do I apply to be
a Fellow?
Applicants must apply through the USDA/FAS 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 which can be found on the
website.
What kind of
supplementary documentation is required?
In
addition to the application form, applicants must
provide signed approval from an official
representative of their home institution; college
transcripts; two letters of
recommendation; a copy of the identification page of
the applicant’s passport; and one passport-size
photograph.
Where can I get an
application form and instructions?
The
application and basic information on how to apply is
available on the Borlaug Fellowship Program website.
When is the application
deadline?
The
application deadline varies by country. Please refer
to the country-specific announcement page on the
Borlaug Fellowship Program website.
What is the selection
criteria used in reviewing applications?
Applicants are selected based on their academic and
professional research interests and achievements, 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 topics
highlighted in the application announcement and to global food security and trade.
