Borlaug Executive Leadership Program

The Borlaug agricultural policy executive leadership course will assist senior agricultural policy makers from emerging market countries. Programs are intended to promote food security and economic growth, increasing the understanding of science in d

The Borlaug Executive Leadership Program promotes food security and economic growth by providing training and collaborative research opportunities to participants (Fellows) from emerging market countries. BELP Fellows are generally experienced scientists, researchers, or policymakers who are in or approaching policy-making positions. Fellows work with faculty at a U.S. university, research center, or government agency, for approximately 3 weeks, and may also attend professional conferences and events within their field, such as the annual World Food Prize Symposium.

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

Fellows must hold a minimum of a Master's-level degree, be in or approaching the executive stage of their career, and represent a university, government agency or research entity in an emerging market 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 generally for one year, to include preparation, the fellowship itself, and appropriate follow-up; extensions may be authorized under certain circumstances.

Applications should be submitted at https://grants.fms.usda.gov

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.