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Frequently Asked Questions |
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FAQs:
About the Program
What is the Borlaug
Fellowship Program?
What is
the purpose of the Program?
What does a Fellowship
consist of?
How long will the
Fellowship last?
What costs does a
Fellowship cover?
Who sponsors the Borlaug
Fellowship Program?
Are training locations
limited to the United States or are there overseas
opportunities?
What thematic areas does
the Program cover?
How are programs
developed?
May I bring my family?
FAQs:
Eligibility
Do I have to be a
scientist?
Do I have to speak
English?
Can U.S. citizens apply?
FAQs: Applying
How does one apply to be
a Fellow?
What types of forms are
required?
What kind of
supplementary documentation is required?
Where can I get an
application form and instructions?
When in the application
deadline?
What is the selection
criteria used in reviewing applications?
How can I get additional
information?
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 through
exchanges for entry-level scientists, faculty, 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 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 are 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
Fellowship last?
Fellowships generally last from four to
eight weeks and can be extended if merited by 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 Borlaug Fellowship 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.
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 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.
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.
Applying
How do I 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 one passport-size
photos.
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 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.
