The 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. The program supports engaging a mentor at a US university and a CGIAR center.
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 has relevance to the national development of the student’s home country or region.
Worth
- The award level is US$20,000 for a maximum of one year. The funds are administered as a grant to the US university mentor. Grant funds can be used to support a variety of research needs including student’s travel to the research site, research support at the CGIAR or US University, and US faculty member travel to the research site to mentor the student in collaboration with a CGIAR scientist. Funds should not be used to pay tuition or salaries.
Eligibility
- A citizen of a USAID-assisted country. Currently we are only accepting applications from citizens of USAID-assisted countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants cannot hold citizenship or permanent residency in the US and/or any non-USAID assisted country. This includes applicants with dual citizenship.
- Currently enrolled as an MS or PhD student at a US or sub-Saharan Africa developing country university. Candidates must maintain student status for the duration of the fellowship.
- Fluent in reading, writing and speaking English. All semi-finalists must provide a TOEFL or IELTS score taken within the past year. Only applicants enrolled at U.S. universities are exempt from this requirement. Minimum acceptable scores are: TOEFL, 550 (paper test); 80 (internet-based test). IELTS (academic modules), minimum of 7 on a 9-point scale.
- Completed at least one year of graduate level course work in the graduate program the applicant is currently enrolled in with a US equivalent grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
Deadline: April 6, 2016
To apply and for more information visit here
