The Scientific Exchange Program (SEP) leverages the latest developments in cross-cutting agricultural priorities, research, and technologies to educate a new generation of agricultural scientist to promote trade, trade policy, trade capacity building, and food security. The collaborative nature of the SEP training and research programs improves agricultural productivity, systems, and processes in partnering emerging market economies through the transfer of new science and agricultural technologies. USDA may also use the program as a market development tool to assist in opening markets and decreasing or eliminating trade barriers in low to middle income countries, which ultimately increases and creates new trade opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports.
SEP focuses on a cohort of Fellows who will spend up to 12 weeks at the U.S. academic institution and work directly with U.S. scientists in their fields. Each Fellow 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 their home country. Mentors coordinate the training program in the United States. Upon the Fellow's return home, the mentor travels to the Fellows country to follow-up. SEP is administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Programs, Fellowship Programs.
Application Submission Deadline: June 6, 2022
USDA is seeking proposal submissions to focus on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and food systems innovation. CSA is an approach that helps guide actions to transform agri-food systems towards green and climate resilient practices. USDA will make up to three regional awards focused on understanding CSA to enhance productivity, curb greenhouse gas emissions associated with growing food, build soil health, sequester carbon, and other initiatives that help to mitigate the impacts of climate change. USDA is seeking proposal submissions that includes low to middle income economies (as defined by The World Bank) in the African, Asian, and Central American/Latin American Regions. USDA envisions for fellows to participate as a cohesive geographical cohort, rather than at individual times or several geographical regions on one award, and applicants should prepare their approach accordingly. Additionally, the award will provide a platform for researchers of the same cohort to share ideas and foster collaboration to lead to better regional and intraregional coordination on food safety issues and develop practical applied climate-smart outcomes for agricultural communities.
Eligible Applicants: U.S. State Cooperative Institutions or other colleges and universities in the United States.
Total Available Federal Funding: Up to $1,500,000 total (est. up to $500,000 per award), subject to funding availability