Q&A Webinar Notes_Final.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture | Foreign Agricultural Service

Office of Global Programs | Fellowship Programs Division

June 30, 2026 | 11:00 AM EDT

Microsoft Teams

Meeting Minutes

The Norman Borlaug Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Webinar commenced at 11:00 AM EDT with 22 virtual participants. The session progressed as a series of questions from participants and responses provided by USDA/FAS Fellowship Programs representatives in attendance. The meeting concluded at 11:34 AM EDT. The questions and responses discussed during the session are detailed below for all NOFO applicants to reference.

Q&A

• Question: Since most of the Borlaug programs feature multiple Fellows, is the institution required to submit a proposal that covers the maximum number of Fellows covered in the NOFO?

• Response: USDA/FAS expects awardees to accommodate all the Participants selected for the program. This may match the maximum number listed for the topic, or it may be fewer depending on recruitment.

• Question: Will each Fellow require a separate individual mentor?

• Response: Per the NOFO, “A single Mentor may be assigned to more than one Participant simultaneously” (page 14).

• Question: Are all Fellows expected to arrive at the U.S. based institutions at the same time?

• Response: Yes, all Participants for each program should participate at the same time.

• Question: Does FP have a tentative start-date for the Fellows’ visit to the United States?

• Response: USDA/FAS will endeavor to work with each individual institution to establish an appropriate start-date for their program once the award process is completed. Start dates are contingent upon the completion of the award process and the Participant selection process.

• Question: Does FP expect Fellows from the same country to be from the same institution?

• Response: Participants may or may not come from the same institution(s).

• Question: Follow-up question regarding program implementation timeline: The NOFO states the program is to be implemented before September 30, 2027. How does the timeline account for when Fellows are to arrive in the United States and commence their Fellowship?

• Response: Participant arrival and start dates of programs are contingent upon the completion of the award process and the Participant selection process.

• Question: Since Fellows may not arrive in 2026, they will not attend the World Food Prize (WFP) for this year. Will there be a possibility of Fellows attending WFP in 2027?

• Response: The Topic Descriptions section at the end of the NOFO state that “each program should be implemented before September 30, 2027,” however, flexibility will be necessary should the award process or the Participant selection process be delayed.

Attendance at the World Food Prize is not a requirement for these programs. However, should timing of the program align with the 2027 World Food Prize, training plans may incorporate Participant attendance. USDA/FAS encourages applicants to develop and time their proposed programs to be as impactful as possible based on the program topic.

• Question: Are the Universities or applicants going to be involved in the selection process of Fellows or are they solely applying to host the Fellows?

• Response: Host institutions will be invited to assist in the Participant recruitment process.

• Question: Should universities budget for activities that may go beyond the September 2027 date? Do the allocated monies for programming expire by the September date?

• Response: Borlaug Fellowship Program agreements typically have a two-year period of performance. We advise all interested applicants to develop their program plan and budget for the entire period of performance.

• Question: Would FP prefer applicants to budget for travel to the World Food Prize in October 2027?

• Response: Attendance at the World Food Prize is not a requirement for these programs.

USDA/FAS encourages applicants to develop and time their proposed programs to be as impactful as possible based on the program topic.

• Question: Since all the Fellows will be at the same institution, one assumes a consortium is not permissible?

• Response: Per the NOFO, all participating institutions included in a consortium must be eligible (page 3). However, Borlaug Fellowship Programs will be awarded to single institutions.

• Question: Will Fellows be asked to arrive on the same day in D.C. for a reception?

• Response: Per the NOFO, the Washington D.C. orientation and debrief visits are a required component of the Borlaug Fellowship Program and all Participants in the program must attend together (page 15).

• Question: Should applicants request funds for Fellow and Mentor visits to FAS, Washington, DC office? If so, what are the potential dates?

• Response: Program dates are contingent upon the completion of the award process and the Participant selection process. Responsibilities of USDA/FAS and the applicant during the Washington D.C. orientation and debrief visits are outlined in the NOFO (page 15).

• Question: For the Mentor reciprocal visits, are all Mentors expected to do the visits at the same time?

• Response: Per the NOFO, all Mentor Follow-up Visits must occur within six months to one year after the U.S.-based portion of the program concludes, and no later than three months before the end of the agreement (page 15). There is no requirement regarding Mentors conducting their visits to participants at the same time.

• Question: Will there be a Washington, D.C., debriefing and initial briefing for Fellows?

Would FP prefer virtual attendance?

• Response: Per the NOFO, the Washington D.C. orientation and debrief visits are a required component of the Borlaug Fellowship Program and all must attend in-person (page 15).

• Question: Are the Fellows’ visa and health insurance covered by FAS or State Department?

• Response: Per the NOFO (page 17), “DS-2019/J-1 visa support for Participants and related SEVIS requirements will be provided by USDA/FAS,” and “USDA/FAS will provide Participants with J-1 Visa compliant emergency health insurance.”

• Question: Since this year’s Borlaug cohort will consist of multiple Fellows coming under each award, is there an expectation that they will participate in cohort activities as opposed to one-on-one with mentors?

• Response: USDA encourages applicants to develop training programs to be as impactful as possible for Participants and to meet the expectations outlined in the NOFO.

• Question: Are pre-visit and follow-up visit funds allowed?

• Response: The Mentor Pre-Fellowship Visit is described on page 14 of the NOFO, and the Mentor Follow-up Visit is described on page 15 of the NOFO. Both are requirements of all Borlaug Fellowship Programs and should be included in the program plan and budget.

• Question: Can awardees assume that programs will not be made available until 2027?

• Response: Program dates are contingent upon the completion of the award process and the Participant selection process. USDA/FAS encourages applicants to time their proposed programs to be as impactful as possible based on the program topic.