The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (LEAP) .

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 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.

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: JANUARY 17, 2013.  Applications must be RECEIVED BY JANUARY 17, 2013 to be considered for fellowships beginning May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014.

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 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)

Ready to Apply-  Then Download: