2020 International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program

Program Overview and Priorities

USDA will provide opportunities to eligible U.S. citizens to assist developing countries in establishing school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs under the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program (IAEFP) under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, PL 115-334, Sec. 3307, 7 USC § 3295. The intention of the IAEFP is to develop globally minded United States agriculturalists with experience living abroad, focus on meeting the food and fiber needs of the domestic population of eligible countries, and strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible countries and the United States agricultural industry. Proposal submission should include, but not limited to, classroom instruction, field demonstrations, entrepreneurship projects, and leadership development. The proposal should address host country's receptiveness of the IAEFP. Host country's government, agriculture community, and local authorities should demonstrate support and commitment to collaborate on the implementation and execution of the IAEFP. The recipient should provide a suggested curriculum to all fellows that is tailored to the needs of the host country. Fellows training topics should align with USDA and the host country's agricultural policy, development, and extension goals. Topics should also promote bilateral agricultural trade between the host country and the United States. For additional recipient requirements, please see the performance expectations section. United States fellows participating under IAEFP must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in an agriculture-related field and understand U.S. school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs Council must be consulted on U.S. fellow selections. Fellows do not need to be previously affiliated with the selected recipients.

Program Objective

USDA anticipates issuing up to two awards to improve developing countries ability in meeting their food and fiber needs as well as strengthen trade linkages between the United States and selected countries. Each award is expected to support up to nine (9) fellows. Programs for fellows are expected to last 8-9 months in concurrence with the host country's academic year. After selection, recipients will be expected to identify fellows, proposing selections to USDA for final concurrence. Although each fellow should be assigned a specific country and site, USDA envisions fellows will participate as a cohesive cohort, rather than at individual times, and applicants should prepare their approach accordingly. Award recipients will be required to work with relevant FAS Posts, as well as appropriate U.S. Embassy personnel, on all programmatic issues including providing periodic updates on program implementation.