Guatemala

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pleased to announce the initiation of The Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program (Borlaug Fellows Program) for Guatemala.

The Borlaug Fellows Program offers training and collaborative research opportunities in international agricultural science, leadership and policy to improve plant health in Guatemala. Each Fellow will work one-on-one with a mentor who will coordinate the Fellow’s training and visit the Fellow's home institution after completion of the training.

The 2008 Borlaug Fellows Program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

The application deadline for the 2008 Borlaug Fellows Program for Guatemala is April 7, 2008.

Objectives:

  • Provide entry-level agricultural research scientists, faculty and policymakers with one-on-one training opportunities in the fields of agricultural research (see targeted research areas below);
  • Provide scientists, faculty and policymakers with practical experience and exposure to new technologies that can enhance their own research endeavors;
  • Foster increased collaboration and networking to improve agricultural productivity;
  • Facilitate the transfer of new science and agricultural technologies to strengthen agricultural practices;
  • Address obstacles to the adoption of technology such as ineffectual policies and regulations.

Eligibility Requirements:

Candidates will be evaluated, interviewed and selected based on the following criteria:
  • Citizen of Guatemala;
  • Good working knowledge of the English language
  • Minimum M.Sc. degree with three years practical experience or working working towards Masters degree with five years experience;
  • Early stage in their professional career;
  • Experience and focus in plant health research;
  • Currently employed at a research institution with the intent to continue working in their home country for a minimum of two years following their return from the United States.
    •

    Targeted Research Areas: Plant Health
    • Pest risk assessment and management;
    • Molecular testing techniques (e.g. West Nile Virus);
    • Applications in plant biotechnology (e.g. Generation of maps and molecular markers, transformation techniques to increase the genetic pool of native and commercial crops, etc);
    • Molecular diagnostic techniques for surveillance and control of plant pests and diseases.

    Length of Fellowships

    Fellowships are generally for 4 to 8 weeks but can be slightly longer if merited by the research topic.

    Application Requirements

    Eligible candidates are invited to submit the complete application including the following attachments no later than April 7, 2008.

    • Application form
    • One page program proposal
    • Approval of the home institution
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Official copy of transcript of college degrees
    • Copy of passport identification page
    • Two passport sized photos

    For questions or to submit an application, please contact:

    Ms. Karla Tay
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of Agricultural Affairs
    U.S. Embassy Guatemala City
    Email: karla.tay@fas.usda.gov
    Tel: (502) 

    For additional information, please contact:

    USDA/FAS Coordinators for the Borlaug Fellows Program - Guatemala:

    Lisa Wendel: lisa.wendel@fas.usda.gov

    Abiola Adeyemi: abiola.adeyemi@fas.usda.gov

    Or visit our website: http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/borlaug/borlaug.htm


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    Last Modified: Monday, March 10, 2008