The Norman E Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (Borlaug LEAP): This is a scholarship funded by the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) to improve the standard of research by student graduates from developing nations. The program has been developed along with the Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program which is also sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The fellowship is earmarked for students who have displayed leadership qualities in agriculture and related subjects.
Who is Dr Norman E Borlaug?
- Nobel laureate Dr Norman E Borlaug, through his incredible research in agriculture, has reduced starvation levels in third world countries. He is credited with the Green Revolution which was the result of this collaboration with Mexican scientists, on disease resistant, high yielding wheat.
- He is also the winner of the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom,
- In 2005, under the guidance of Dr Borlaug, USAID along with USDA, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, the University of California, Davis and Texas A&M set up the Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (LEAP).
What does the fellowship entail?
- This scholarship also supports a mentor at a US university and at the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) who will support and guide the student in the research. The fellowship is very competitive and is geared for students with leadership qualities as well a strong scientific bent. The proposal should be coordinated between the CGIAR mentor, the US University and the home university. It should focus on work which is relevant to the development of the student’s country.
What are the eligibility criteria for candidates?
- Students who are citizens of sub-Saharan African countries that are recipients of USAID are eligible of the Borlaug LEAP scholarship. Applicants should not be citizens or permanent residents in a country which is not assisted by USAID. Applicants who hold dual citizenship fall in this category.
- Applicants should not hold a US Green card
- The applicant must be a student for a PhD or MS program in a developing country or US university. The student must be fluent in speaking, reading and writing English (TOEFL score 500+).
The eligible student should have finished one year of the course work in the graduate program with a grade point average of 3.0 or more. The applicant should have a dissertation topic which pertains to agricultural development.
What are the eligibility criteria for mentors?
- The mentor in the US must be a member of the faculty of aUS graduate school, with ongoing research which corresponds with the applicant’s research. The person should be eligible to oversee graduate students.
- The CGIAR mentor has to be a research scientist affiliated to any one of the fifteen research centers in the CGIAR network and should be involved in research which relates to the applicant’s research.
- Students, who require help in contacting mentors either at the University or CGIAR, should contact representatives at the University or CGIAR. The selection of the mentors will be the responsibility of the applicant.
What does the Borlaug LEAP grant cover?
- The value of the Borlaug LEAP grant is estimated to be $20,000. This fund will not cover all the expenses of the students and applicants are encouraged to look for funding from other sources.
- The grant funds can be used for research related requirements as well as travel to research site as well as travel of mentors to research site. The money cannot be used for salaries or tuition.
How to apply
- The completed application must include the application form and the supplemental applications from both the mentors. An essay in four parts on topics on prescribed topics.
- The application should include three letters of recommendations from (a)USfaculty member from graduate school, (b) CGIAR mentor, (c) faculty member from the developing country’s university.
- The other things which are to be included are:- one passport size photograph; budget (budget justification); one print out of the application on white paper and one on a CD; proof that the applicant has enrolled in a MS or PhD program.
Only applications which are submitted by the US University will be entertained. Applications which are sent by fax or email will not be reviewed.
Borlaug LEAP (2754)
CA&ES International Program Office
University of California, Davis
Environmental Horticulture Bldg. #1103
(along Old Davis Rd.)
Davis, CA 95616
USA
On selection
If selected, the applicant will have to provide:
- the official transcripts from the Universities.
- proof of the MS or PhD program enrollment.
- photocopy of the first page of the passport; for international students, the visa page as well.
- the CGIAR and the US University certificates of support
- the conditions of training signed by the student
- copy of the TOEFL score, if the student is from a non English speaking country.
For More information – http://leap.ucdavis.edu/
