2021 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship – Mexico Initiative | USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 21 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 21 0001

The 2021 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship - Mexico Initiative is a USDA-funded program designed to strengthen agricultural research collaboration between the United States and Mexico by placing selected Mexican agricultural professionals into short, intensive research-and-training appointments at U.S. institutions. Congress has supported the broader Borlaug Fellowship Program since 2004 to help USDA advance international agricultural research priorities, build scientific capacity in partner countries, and support practical improvements that can translate into better productivity, food security, and economic growth. The core idea is hands-on, applied learning in real research settings, paired with ongoing professional relationships that continue after the fellow returns home.

In this opportunity, USDA identifies specific Mexico-focused topics tied to international agricultural trade and then matches selected participants (fellows) with U.S. host research institutions for a 10 to 12 week program. The expectation is that the fellowship experience directly supports each participant's research agenda and home-institution goals, while also creating tangible benefits for the U.S. host institution through joint work, exchange of expertise, and longer-term collaboration. A major emphasis is on transferring new science and agricultural technologies into practice, so the knowledge gained is not meant to stay in the lab; it is expected to be carried back into teaching, extension, policy discussions, and adoption by producers or other users in the marketplace.

The scope of work is centered on what the selected U.S. institution (the award recipient) must deliver. The host institution is responsible for designing and implementing a customized training program that aligns as closely as possible with each participant's proposed research goals and objectives. In addition to technical training, the program must include leadership and communication components so fellows can better explain their research and its implications to decision-makers, with the broader goal of supporting science-based agricultural policy in their home context. The fellowship topics listed for this Mexico Initiative include work on plant growth promoting fungi and bioprospecting for biofertilizers and biopesticides, development of certification systems for biofertilizers and biopesticides, molecular laboratory skills such as fungi PCR and DNA extraction, pesticide detection and identification methods using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in fresh vegetables along with an understanding of U.S. pesticide standards, agricultural products trade policy with market and trade data analysis of grains and other agriproducts traded between the U.S. and Mexico, research on using abiotic stress to increase antioxidants or other bioactive compounds and heavy metal chelation in tomato plants, and additional work focused specifically on mycorrhizal fungi biofertilizers and certification.

The place of performance is primarily the U.S. host institution's research facilities, where fellows are expected to complete the bulk of their training and applied research. The program also includes structured engagement with USDA in Washington, DC: each participant is expected to spend two to three days at USDA at the beginning and again at the end of the fellowship for briefing and debriefing with key USDA officers. The mentor or principal investigator at the host institution is expected to arrange this travel and accompany the participant for both trips, which signals that the host is accountable not only for lab or classroom activities but also for program coordination and USDA engagement. In addition, the mentor is expected to conduct a reciprocal visit of up to two weeks to the participant's home institution, reinforcing that this is intended as a two-way partnership rather than a one-direction training experience.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary USDA opportunity under CFDA 10.777, issued by the Department of Agriculture under the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship framework. The funding opportunity number is USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 21 0001. The opportunity anticipated five awards, with an award ceiling of $60,000. The original posting indicates a creation date of November 6, 2020 and an original closing date of December 7, 2020. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others" with clarification expected in the full announcement, implying that applicants are typically U.S.-based institutions capable of hosting and mentoring fellows in the specified technical areas and of managing the required travel, coordination, and reciprocal engagement components.

• The Department of Agriculture, Norman E. Borlaug Intl Ag Science and Tech 10.777 in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2021 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship – Mexico Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.777.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 06, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 07, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 21 0001

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