Program Description: The program is generously funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with an aim to boost the number of future leaders and decision-makers who have the scientific base needed to effectively study and promote sustainable food systems. The U.S. Borlaug Fellows in Global Food Security program is implemented by the Purdue University Center for Global Food Security.

This program supports exceptional U.S. graduate students conducting research on topics related to USAID’s global hunger and food security initiative—Feed the Future. All topics that relate to food security and are linked to the research strategies of the Feed the Future initiative are eligible. Applicants must focus their food security related graduate research in a single, developing country context and collaborate with a mentor from an International Agricultural Research Center (IARC), or a qualifying National Agricultural Research System (NARS) unit. Two application cycles are held annually, in the Spring and Fall semesters.

Award Benefits: Grants for 6-month long international research stays have a maximum value of USD 15,000. Grants for 1-year long international research stays have a maximum value of USD 20,000. Grants for 2-year long international research stays have a maximum value of USD 40,000. Students are expected to stay in the host country for the majority of the time (85%) with some time available for short-term absences. New this Fall 2013 application cycle, 1-year long research grants may be split into two, 6-month long stays over a period of no more than 18 months. Grant funds are not intended to cover all costs of the proposed research, and applicants are expected to leverage additional funding in support of their graduate work.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. graduate program.

To Apply: Submit a completed application by Monday, November 11, 2013, 11:59 p.m. Eastern time to borlaugfellows@purdue.edu. Application instructions and forms are available online.

 – Application Form

– Project Narrative

– Budget, Budget Justification & Project Timeline Form

– Proof of Citizenship

– Institutional letters of support from the submitting university and participating IARC/NARC

– Letter of approval from submitting university’s sponsored programs office

– Two letters of recommendation

Review of Applications: Awards are made on a competitive basis to students who show strong scientific foundation and possess leadership potential, propose a well-coordinated research plan that clearly articulates concepts and objectives that are innovative and feasible, and demonstrate a commitment to international development. A selection committee will review applications and the top-ranked applicants may interviewed before a final selection is made. Applicants will be notified of their status by December 23, 2013.

For more details visit here: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/food/borlaugfellows/research-fellowship/rfa.php