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Cocoa
Improvement Initiative - CAFTA-DR Countries
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in cooperation with the
World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), is pleased to announce the initiation of The
Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship
Program Initiative for Improving Cocoa Production for the CAFTA-DR
countries.
The Borlaug Fellows Program for Cocoa offers training and collaborative
research opportunities to enable promising scientists involved in cocoa
production, processing, product development and supply chain to learn modern
practices and techniques in state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities with
experts in the cocoa research field.
The 2008 Borlaug Fellows Program for Cocoa is administered by the USDA’s
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and The World Cocoa Foundation.
The application deadline for the 2008 Borlaug Fellows Program
for Cocoa is
July 25, 2008.
Objectives
Provide entry-level agricultural research scientists, faculty and
policymakers with one-on-one training and research opportunities in
cocoa improvement (see targeted research areas below);
Provide scientists, faculty and policymakers with practical
experience and exposure to new technologies that can enhance their
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.
Targeted Research Areas
Production Research (e.g. Organic Cocoa Production, Best practices,
Integrated Pest Management)
Post-Harvest Technology (e.g. Fermentation, Sun-drying)
Policy Issues (e.g. Land-tenure)
Extension Services (e.g. Farm Management/Co-ops, Niche Market
Development)
Length of Program
Fellowships will be approximately 6 weeks.
Host Institution and Mentor
The World Cocoa Foundation and the USDA will select appropriate
training venues and Mentors for each participant. Host
institutions will be chosen based on the Fellow’s area of research,
educational background, and other factors.
Please note that specific U.S. Host Institutions and/or Mentors
cannot be guaranteed.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates will be evaluated, interviewed and selected based on the
following criteria:
Citizen of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa
Rica, or the Dominican Republic;
Good working knowledge of the English language;
Minimum Masters degree with 3 years of practical experience or
working toward Masters degree with 5 years experience;
Early stages of their professional career;
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.
Application Requirements
Eligible candidates are invited to submit the complete application
including the following attachments no later than July 25, 2008.
Application form
One page program proposal
Approval from your supervisor at your 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. Lisa Wendel
Email:
lisa.wendel@fas.usda.gov
Tel: +1 202 720 0746
Mr. Abiola Adeyemi
Email:
abiola.adeyemi@fas.usda.gov
Tel: +1 202 720 8096
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