The Borlaug Fellowship Program promotes food security and economic growth by increasing scientific knowledge, advancing the transfer of new agricultural technology, and encouraging collaborative research to improve agricultural productivity. It offers training and collaborative opportunities to agricultural scientists, faculty and policymakers.  Each Fellow works one-on-one with a U.S. mentor who coordinates the Fellow’s training. After completing the U.S.-based portion of the fellowship, the mentor visits the Fellow’s home institution to continue collaboration.
The 2012 Borlaug Fellowship Program is administered and funded by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).  USDA selects U.S. mentors and host institutions for each Fellow.
The application deadline for the 2012 Borlaug Fellowship Program for Vietnam is January 4, 2012.
Objectives:
•    Provide early to midcareer agricultural research scientists, faculty and policymakers with one-on-one training opportunities in any agriculture-related field (see targeted research area below for this country);
•    Provide practical experience and exposure to new perspectives and/or technologies that can be applied upon completion of the program in their home institutions;
•    Foster increased collaboration and networking to improve agricultural productivity and trade;
•    Facilitate the transfer of new scientific and agricultural technologies to strengthen agricultural practices; and
•    Address obstacles to the adoption of technology such as ineffectual policies and regulations.
Targeted Research Areas:
•    BIOTECHNOLOGY
O    ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT FOR STRESS TOLERANT CROPS
•    FOOD SAFETY
O    FOOD SAFETY RISK ANALYSIS FOR MEAT (BEEF, PORK AND POULTRY) AND MEAT PRODUCTS (INCLUDING OFFAL PRODUCTS)
•    EXTENSION/AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
o    GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES FOR LIVESTOCK (SWINE AND DAIRY CATTLE) HERD MANAGEMENT

Length of Fellowships:
Fellowships are between six to 12 weeks in length.  All program proposals should include goals that are achievable within the timeframe.  After completing the U.S.-based portion of the fellowship, the mentor visits the Fellow’s home institution for up to 10 days to continue the collaboration.
 
Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates will be evaluated, interviewed and selected based on the following criteria:
•    Citizen of Vietnam;
•    Good working knowledge of the English language;
•    Holds a master’s degree with a minimum of two years of practical experience;
•    Currently employed by a university, government, research institution and/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 to midstage of professional career; and
•    Experience and focus in Biotechnology, Food Safety, or Extension/Agricultural Education.                          
Application Requirements:
Eligible candidates are invited to submit their completed application, including the following attachments, no later than January 4, 2012.  Submitted applications should include:
•    Application form;
•    Program proposal (two to three pages) and action plan;
•    Signed approval from applicant's home institution;
•    Two letters of recommendation;
•    Copy of college/university transcript(s)  from which degree(s) was received;
•    Copy of passport identification page; and
•    One passport sized photo.
Please include all application materials in one PDF document.
 Contact Information:
For questions regarding the application process or the Borlaug Fellowship Program, please see the contact information below.  All electronic applications sent to this email address must contain “2012 BFP Applicant” in the subject line and should be sent to the following contacts:
Bui Thi Huong
Jeanne F. Bailey
Office of Agricultural Affairs - Hanoi
Telephone:  
Email:  huong.bui@fas.usda.gov

Office of Agricultural Affairs - Hanoi
Third Floor, Rose Garden Building, 170 Ngoc Khanh, Ba Dinh,
Hanoi,  Vietnam

Debbie Nip at Debbie.Nip@fas.usda.gov
Catherine Chesnutt at Catherine.Chesnutt@fas.usda.gov
       
Further information is available at our website: http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/borlaug/Borlaug.asp