Scientific Exchanges Program

The Scientific Exchange Program promotes trade, trade policy, trade capacity building, and food security. The program aims to educate a new generation of agricultural scientists in emerging market countries, increase scientific knowledge and collabor

The Scientific Exchange Program promotes trade, trade policy, trade capacity building, and food security. It is expected that SEP will assist in opening markets and decreasing or eliminating trade barriers, which ultimately increases and creates new opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports.

Fellows must hold a minimum of a Master's-level degree, be in the early or middle stage of their career, and represent a university, government agency or research entity in a low or middle-income country.

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 the scientific merit of the proposed activity; the anticipated impact of the activity; cost effectiveness; and quality of application.

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.