DEADLINE– FEBRUARY 3, 2012
Countries/Region– Africa
International Programs works with global partners to build the capacity of countries in Agriculture and the Environment in terms of: Research, Extension, and Education.
The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (Borlaug LEAP) is a fellowship program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 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. 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 Issues and themes covered under this opportunity are agriculture, research
Who is eligible to apply?
An eligible candidate for a Borlaug LEAP grant 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.
Who is eligible to be a mentor?
An eligible US mentor must be:
- A faculty member at a US graduate level university
- Conducting research related to the student’s research topic
- Eligible at his/her institution to supervise graduate students
An eligible CGIAR mentor must be:
- A research scientist at one of the 15 international research centers in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) alliance.
- Conducting research related to the student’s research topic.
What are the additional eligibility requirements for the current ongoing RFA?
An eligible candidate must be a citizen of a USAID-assisted country in sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants cannot hold citizenship or permanent residency in a non-USAID assisted country. This includes applicants with dual citizenship. 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 electronic copy of the entire application package on CD or disk.
- Proof of enrollment in a PhD or MS program.
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.
4. One passport size photograph
5. Budget and Budget Justification
6. One electronic copy of the entire application package on CD or disk.
7. Proof of enrollment in a PhD or MS program.
How to apply:
The complete application package must be submitted by the US University Institution to:
Borlaug LEAP (2754),CA&ES International Program Office,University of California, Davis Environmental Horticulture Bldg. #1103
(along Old Davis Rd.),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:
- Copies of college transcripts.
- Proof of enrollment in a PhD or MS program.
- 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.
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