2014 Cocoa Fellowships for Latin American & the Caribbean and Asia

Deadline: 27 June 2014

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in cooperation with the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is accepting applications from scientists, researchers or policymakers who are in the early or middle stages of careers in Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago in Latin america and the Caribbean and in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam in Asia for the FAS Global Cocoa Borlaug Fellowships.

Targeted Research Areas for Latin America and the Caribbean

1. Genetics and breeding
2. Plant propagation methods
3. Diseases – plant pathology and control methods, particularly for witches’ broom and frosty pod
4. Soil fertility and plant nutrition

Targeted Areas for Asia

1. Cocoa genetics and breeding
2. Plant propagation methods
3. Diseases – plant pathology, control methods – particularly for vascular streak dieback and black pod
4. Pests – entomology, control methods – particularly for cocoa pod borer and mirids
5. Soil fertility and plant nutrition

The fellows will work with a mentor at a U.S. university, research center or government agency, usually for 6-12 weeks. They may also attend the annual World Food Prize Symposium, held each October in Des Moines, Iowa.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be the citizens of an eligible country, fluent in English.
• Applicants must have completed a Master’s or higher degree and must be in the early or middle stage of their career, with at least two years of practical experience.
• Applicants must be employed by a university, government agency or research entity in their home country.
• Applicants must demonstrate their intention to continue working in their home country after completing the fellowship.

Complete application includes- completed application form, program proposal and action plan, signed approval from applicant’s home institution, two letters of recommendation, official copy of transcript for college/university degree(s), and copy of passport identification page.

For more information, please visit Accepting Applications for 2014.