Application Deadline: JUNE 14, 2013
The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (Borlaug LEAP) offers fellowships to enhance the quality of thesis research of graduate students from developing countries who show strong promise as leaders in the field of agriculture and related disciplines as defined by Title XII. Borlaug LEAP was developed in conjunction with the Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) but operates as a separate program. The Borlaug LEAP is part of the US Government’s Feed the Future 21st Century Leadership Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development.
The Borlaug LEAP Fellowship supports engaging a mentor at a United States (US) University and at a Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system center to support and enhance the thesis research and mentoring experience. Awards are made on a competitive basis to students who show strong scientific and leadership potential, have a well coordinated proposal between their home university, a US university mentor, and the CGIAR mentor, and whose research is related to a strong research and support project within the host country. Emphasis is placed on work that has relevance to the national development of the student’s home country.
ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible to apply?
An eligible candidate for a Borlaug LEAP fellowship must be
- a citizen of a USAID-assisted country in sub-Saharan Africa (eligible sub-Saharan African countries are listed at right). Applicants cannot hold citizenship or permanent residency in a non-USAID assisted country. This includes applicants with dual citizenship.
- currently enrolled as an MS or PhD student at a U.S. or developing country university
- fluent in reading, writing and speaking English (with a TOEFL score 500 or above)
In addition, eligible candidates will have
- completed at least one year of graduate level course work in the graduate program the applicant is currently enrolled in with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- a thesis-topic related to agricultural development and related fields. Title XII legislation broadly defines agriculture as:
“…the science and practice of activity related to food, feed, and fiber production, processing, marketing, distribution, utilization, and trade, and also includes family and consumer sciences, nutrition, food science and engineering, agricultural economics and other social sciences, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, aquaculture, floriculture, veterinary medicine, and other environmental and natural resources sciences.”
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFAs)
Applications are requested for sub-Saharan African students conducting research on topics related to the US Government’s global hunger and food security initiative — FEED THE FUTURE. The focus region is sub-Saharan Africa. All topics related to agriculture (as defined by Title XII) and the research strategies of the Feed the Future Initiative are admissible. The administrative due date for applications is: JUNE 14, 2013. Applications must be RECEIVED BY JUNE 14, 2013 to be considered for fellowships beginning September 15, 2013 through September 14, 2014.
How to apply
FORMS FOR DOWNLOADING
Application Form (includes supplemental application forms for mentors)
Budget and Leveraged Funding Form
A complete application will include the following documents:
- The application form completed in full, including supplemental application from US and CGIAR mentors. (The Application File for download above includes the supplemental application forms.)
- A four-part essay on given topics
- Three recommendations covering topics provided, one each from:
- US faculty member from a graduate-level institution
- CGIAR scientist mentor
- Developing country university faculty member or national agriculture research center scientist.
- One passport size photograph
- Budget and Budget Justification
- One hard copy printed on white paper and one electronic copy of the entire application package on CD or disk.
- Proof of enrollment in a PhD or MS program.
The complete application package must be submitted by the US University Institution to:
CA&ES International Program Office
University of California, Davis
Environmental Horticulture Bldg. #1103
Davis, CA 95616
USA
Please note that emailed or faxed applications as well as incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All parts of the application must be submitted as a single package.
If an applicant is selected as a finalist, he/she will need to provide:
- Official transcripts from universities.
- Proof of enrollment in a PhD or MS program for duration of Fellowship.
- A photocopy of the front page of student’s passport (containing name, passport number, biographical information, picture, etc). If the applicant is in the US, a copy of the visa page as well.
- Institutional Certifications of Support from both the CGIAR and the US University
- Conditions of Training, signed by student
- Copy of TOEFL score. Only required if applicant is from non-English speaking country and has not been enrolled in an English speaking University.