Bulgaria

The Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program (Borlaug Fellows Program) for Bulgaria. The Borlaug Fellows Program offers training and collaborative research opportunities in international agricultural science, leadership and policy. Training venues usually include U.S. universities, government agencies, and international agricultural research centers. Each Fellow works one-on-one with a mentor who coordinates the Fellow’s training and visits the Fellow's home institution after completion of the training.

The 2006 Borlaug Fellows Program for Bulgaria is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) with funding from the United States Department of State.

The application deadline for the 2006 Borlaug Fellows Program
for Bulgaria was February 1, 2006.

Objectives:
  • Provide entry-level Bulgarian agricultural research scientists, faculty and policymakers with one-on-one training opportunities in the fields of agricultural research (see targeted research areas below);
     
  • Provide scientists, faculty and policymakers with practical experience and exposure to new technologies that can enhance their own research endeavors;
     
  • Foster increased collaboration and networking between Bulgarian and U.S. agricultural scientists and policymakers to improve agricultural productivity;
     
  • Facilitate the transfer of new science and agricultural technologies to strengthen agricultural practices;
     
  • Address obstacles to the adoption of technology such as ineffectual policies and regulations.
    •

    Eligibility Requirements:
  • Bulgarian citizens in the early- to mid-level stages of their professional careers;
     
  • Good working knowledge of the English language;
     
  • Minimum master’s degree with 3 years of practical experience or working toward master’s degree with 5 years’ experience;
     
  • Currently employed at a Bulgarian research institution, university, government and other research entities with intent to continue working in Bulgaria for a minimum of two years following their return from the United States.

    • Program Structure:
  • Priority research areas: agronomy and environmental sciences, food safety, plant/animal disease control and microbiology, and agricultural economics.
    •
    • Participating U.S. host universities: Iowa State University, Texas A&M University, Michigan State University and University of Kentucky.

    • Participants will spend 4–6 weeks at the U.S. host university during the 2006 academic year.

    • Participant's laboratory and field research will be conducted under the supervision of a university faculty mentor.

    Application Requirements:

    Eligible candidates are invited to submit the complete application including the following attachments:
  • Application form
     
  • One-page program proposal
     
  • Approval of the home institution
     
  • Two letters of recommendation
     
  • Official copy of transcript of college degrees
     
  • Copy of passport identification page
     
  • Two passport-sized photos
    •

    For application materials, questions and to submit applications, please contact:

    Ventsi Marinov, Agriculture Assistant
    FAS Office, US Embassy Sofia
    Tel: 359-2-939-5761; Fax: 359-2-939-5744
    Mobile: 359-888-831-333
    E-mail: Ventsi.Marinov@usda.gov

    For additional information please contact our Washington, DC, program staff:

    Borlaug Fellows Program - Bulgaria
    E-mail:     BorlaugCentralEurope@fas.usda.gov
     http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/borlaug/borlaug.htm


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    Last Modified: Wednesday, February 14, 2007