USDA Borlaug Fellowship Program in Mongolia

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pleased to announce the 2016 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program (Borlaug Fellowship Program) for Mongolia.

The Borlaug Fellowship Program promotes food security and economic growth by increasing scientific knowledge and research to improve agricultural productivity, economic development, and food security. The Program offers training and collaborative opportunities for agricultural research, international agricultural economics, leadership, and policy to researchers in Mongolia.  Competitively selected fellows will work one-on-one with a U.S. mentor who will coordinate the training program.  After completion of the 10-12 week fellowship, the mentor will visit the fellow's home institution to continue collaboration on the research topic.  USDA will select U.S. host institutions and mentors for each fellow.

The 2016 Borlaug Fellowship Program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The application deadline for the 2016 Borlaug Fellowship Program for Mongolia is

 November 15, 2015.

Objectives

• Provide early to mid-career agricultural economists, research scientists, faculty, and policymakers with one-on-one training opportunities in the fields of agricultural policy and research (see targeted research areas below)
• Provide economists, scientists, faculty, and policymakers with practical experience and exposure to novel perspectives and/or new technologies that can be applied in their home institutions
• Foster collaboration and networking to improve agricultural productivity and trade
• Facilitate the transfer of new economic, scientific, and agricultural technologies to strengthen agricultural practices
• Address obstacles to the adoption of technology such as ineffectual policies and regulations

Targeted Research Area

Animal Health - Training in rapid analysis of diagnostic lab samples and the reliable dissemination of results for animal diseases

Food Safety - Training and experience on testing and inspection equipment used in food safety analysis; risk assessment protocols; DNA traceability capabilities

Rangelands - Management strategies for Mongolian rangelands; rangeland systems, tools, and technologies for applying resilience-based rangeland management

Length of Fellowships

Fellowships last between 10-12 weeks.  All program proposals must include goals that are achievable within that timeframe.  Fellowships can begin as early as August 2016 or as late as the summer of 2017.  After completing the U.S.-based portion of the fellowship, the mentor will visit the Fellow’s home institution approximately one year after the U.S. portion of the training.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates will be evaluated, interviewed and selected based on the following criteria:

• Citizen of Mongolia
• Good working knowledge of the English language
• Master’s degree with at least two years’ of practical experience
• Currently employed by a university, government, research institution, or other institution with the intent to continue working in the home country for a minimum of two years following the return from the United States
• Early/mid-stage of professional career
• Experience and focus in one of the targeted research areas

Application Requirements

Eligible candidates can submit an application using the Review Room application website no later than November 15, 2015:  https://borlaug.myreviewroom.com.  Applicants must submit the following documents to complete an application:

• Application form (using Review Room website)
• Program proposal and action plan (2-3 pages)
• Signed approval from applicant's home institution
• Two letters of recommendation (academic and professional preferred)

·     Official copies of transcripts for college/university degree(s) received

• Copy of passport identification page

Contact Information

For questions related to the application process please contact: