Faculty Exchange Program

The Faculty Exchange Program is intended to improve the teaching and pedagogical capacities of targeted sectors (currently veterinary science and animal health) in targeted countries, with the objective of improving long-term scientific capacity and

The Faculty Exchange Program enhances the teaching ability of agricultural educators from institutions of higher learning in developing countries. Participants come to the United States for one academic semester (4 months) to acquire new knowledge and enhance their ability to teach and build curricula at the university level. Since 1995, the program has provided training opportunities for hundreds of agricultural educators across the developing world. Program alumni play an integral role in training the next generation of scientists and policymakers to better understand the global agricultural marketplace and support science-based trade policies.

State cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities in the United States, as defined by 7 USC 3103

Faculty of agricultural colleges and universities in designated beneficiary countries

Assistance may be used to support the participating fellows (i.e. travel and subsistence expenses), related supplies and materials, reasonable host institution fees, and related travel by faculty mentors.

Agreements are for two years, to include the initial fellowships and appropriate follow-up; extensions may be authorized under certain circumstances.

Applicants will be evaluated on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate that they have the capabilities, staff, resources, and equipment to successfully perform the project. Scoring will also be based on the level of detail and how clearly the applicant's capacities to address these factors are outlined in the proposal. Specific selection criteria are identified in the corresponding Notice of Funding Opportunity, and generally include Technical Expertise and Experience, Overall Program Design, Cost Effectiveness, and Quality of Submission.

USDA/FAS will convene a review panel to review eligible applications against the evaluation criteria described in the NOFO. Reviewers will ensure that the applicant is capable of delivering the programs/activities as described in the announcement based on the applicant's project narrative and assign a score and provide summary comments based on the evaluation criteria identified below. The review panel will make a recommendation list to the selecting official, who is not a member of the panel. The selecting official may select applications out of rank order in consideration of strategic program priorities, such as geographical distribution, incorporation of minority-serving institutions, or congressional directive. Selection determinations are final and cannot be appealed. Prior to selection, the agency may contact the highest-ranking applicants to seek clarification and to negotiate technical and programmatic aspects of the application. If an application includes a subaward, FAS may request to speak with all parties included in the application to ensure sufficient planning and coordination has taken place prior to making an award.

Successful applicants will be notified of the status of their application/award by email. This notification is not authorization to proceed, and such notification should be construed as provisional.