Since its inception in 1984, the Cochran Program has provided training for over 13,500 international participants from 122 countries worldwide.  During fiscal year 2008, the program received $3,425,000 from FAS appropriated resources and $1,070,000 from the U.S. Department of State’s Freedom Support Act funds.  These resources were used to train 520 participants from 75 countries. 

Cochran alumni have made valuable contributions to improving national trade policies and regulatory frameworks that increase market access for American agricultural products.  For example, in Nicaragua, four Cochran alumni trained in agricultural biotechnology provided expert consultations to the Health Commission of the Nicaraguan National Assembly, prompting the Commission to send a positive report on a comprehensive Biosafety Bill to the President of the National Assembly.  A significant number of Cochran alumni achieve prominence in their countries after their Fellowships.   For example, Dr. Bamir Topi, a Cochran Fellow in 1994, was sworn in as the new President of Albania in July 2007—the first time a Cochran Fellow has become a head of state.  Other prominent Cochran alumni include the Prime Minister of Moldova, who served in that capacity from 2001 to 2008, and Madagascar’s Minister of Land Reform, Fields, and Urban Planning.

For more information, contact:

Cochran Fellowship Program
USDA/FAS/OCBD/Trade and Scientific Exchanges Division
14th and Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-1086