Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 20 0008
The 2020 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship is a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) funded program (CFDA 10.777; Funding Opportunity No. USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 20 0008) designed to strengthen international agricultural research collaboration and build scientific capacity in selected partner countries. Congress has supported the Borlaug Fellowship Program since 2004 with the idea that hands-on training, applied research, and sustained professional networks can translate into better agricultural productivity, stronger food security, and economic growth in emerging economies. The core approach is straightforward: USDA identifies high-priority, country-specific technical topics that matter to agricultural trade and biosecurity, selects “Participants” (fellows) from eligible countries, and then places those participants at U.S. research institutions for intensive short-term training that blends real-world research exposure with practical skill building.
For this particular opportunity, the applicant is a U.S.-based host institution (typically a public or private institution of higher education, with some additional eligible entities as indicated in the full announcement) that will receive funding to design and run a customized 10 to 12 week fellowship program for an assigned international participant. The host institution is expected to build a structured training and research plan that aligns as closely as possible with the participant’s proposed research goals and objectives. In addition to technical training, the scope of work emphasizes leadership and communication development so the fellow can better explain and translate their research for policymakers at home, supporting the adoption of science-based agricultural policies and regulations.
The fellowship topics span a wide range of plant health, animal health, biotechnology, food safety, and regulatory science priorities, reflecting the program’s focus on issues that affect productivity, trade, and risk management. Examples of fellow-specific focus areas listed in the announcement include animal disease eradication and leishmaniasis risk assessment (Algeria), food contact material assessment and food additives regulation (Egypt), genetically engineered regulations (Jordan), foodborne illness regulation (South Africa), conservation of Tunisian olives (Tunisia), highly pathogenic avian influenza bioinformatics and Newcastle disease vaccine work (Bangladesh), vapor heat treatment for fruit fly (Cambodia), banana Fusarium wilt (Costa Rica), medfly gene editing (Guatemala), aflatoxins and mycotoxins in food grains (Honduras), animal health (Mongolia), biotechnology and animal health (Philippines), multiple tracks in rice biotechnology and plant health plus blister blight disease in tea (Sri Lanka), tilapia aquaculture and soybean biotechnology plus African swine fever vaccine development (Vietnam), Salmonella genotypes and population structures (Georgia), genes associated with grain quality (Kazakhstan), and several wheat and breeding genetics topics (Turkey), including PAL gene promoter work, stem rust resistance genes, and apomixis at the gene level. The intent is that each fellow’s placement is not generic; it is purpose-built around a defined problem area where U.S. expertise and facilities can accelerate applied learning and research progress.
The place of performance is primarily the U.S. host institution’s campus research facilities, where the participant completes the intensive program under the guidance of a mentor or principal investigator. The structure also includes two short trips (about two to three days each) to USDA in Washington, DC: one at the beginning of the fellowship for briefing and one at the end for debriefing with key USDA officers. A notable operational requirement is that the mentor/PI is expected to handle travel arrangements and accompany the participant during both USDA visits, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on close mentorship and coordinated engagement with USDA stakeholders. Beyond the U.S.-based training, the program is designed to encourage lasting collaboration: the mentor is also expected to make a reciprocal visit of up to two weeks to the participant’s home institution, which may be in a developing country, to strengthen institutional ties, understand on-the-ground constraints, and support longer-term follow-on work.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary award using an “Other” funding instrument type, with an award ceiling of $60,000 and an anticipated 28 awards. The posting shows a creation date of June 16, 2020, and an original closing date of August 7, 2020. Overall, the grant is less about funding a standalone research project and more about resourcing a highly structured training-and-collaboration package: a tailored research experience for an international fellow, built and delivered by a U.S. host institution, with explicit expectations around technical outcomes, leadership and communication skills, USDA engagement, and sustained institutional partnership after the fellow returns home.Apply for USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 20 0008
- 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 "2020 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship" 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 Jun 16, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 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 28 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: 2020 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship (USDA FAS)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) funded grant opportunity to support the 2020 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship. The program is intended to strengthen international agricultural research collaboration and build scientific capacity in selected partner countries through hands-on, short-term training at U.S. research institutions.
What is the program trying to achieve?
The program is designed to translate hands-on training, applied research exposure, and sustained professional networks into better agricultural productivity, stronger food security, and economic growth in emerging economies. It focuses on country-specific technical priorities that matter to agricultural trade and biosecurity.
Who is the applicant for this funding?
The applicant is a U.S.-based host institution. The opportunity notes that this is typically a public or private institution of higher education, with some additional eligible entities described in the full announcement.
Who is the fellowship participant (fellow) in this model?
The participant is an international fellow selected from eligible partner countries. The host institution applies for funding to design and deliver a customized fellowship program for an assigned participant.
What does the host institution receive funding to do?
The host institution receives funding to design and run a customized fellowship program that lasts 10 to 12 weeks. The host builds a structured training and research plan aligned as closely as possible with the participant's proposed research goals and objectives.
How long is the fellowship program?
The fellowship is an intensive short-term placement lasting about 10 to 12 weeks.
Where does the fellowship take place?
The place of performance is primarily the U.S. host institution's campus research facilities, where the participant completes the program under the guidance of a mentor or principal investigator.
Is this grant meant to fund a standalone research project?
No. The opportunity emphasizes that the award is less about funding a standalone research project and more about resourcing a structured training-and-collaboration package built around a specific fellow and a defined problem area.
What is the core approach of the Borlaug Fellowship Program?
USDA identifies high-priority, country-specific technical topics, selects participants from eligible countries, and places those participants at U.S. research institutions for short-term training that blends real-world research exposure with practical skill building.
What types of topics are supported by the fellowship?
The topics span plant health, animal health, biotechnology, food safety, and regulatory science priorities, especially where they affect productivity, trade, and risk management.
Can you give examples of fellow-specific focus areas mentioned in the announcement?
Examples listed include: animal disease eradication and leishmaniasis risk assessment (Algeria); food contact material assessment and food additives regulation (Egypt); genetically engineered regulations (Jordan); foodborne illness regulation (South Africa); conservation of Tunisian olives (Tunisia); highly pathogenic avian influenza bioinformatics and Newcastle disease vaccine work (Bangladesh); vapor heat treatment for fruit fly (Cambodia); banana Fusarium wilt (Costa Rica); medfly gene editing (Guatemala); aflatoxins and mycotoxins in food grains (Honduras); animal health (Mongolia); biotechnology and animal health (Philippines); rice biotechnology and plant health plus blister blight disease in tea (Sri Lanka); tilapia aquaculture and soybean biotechnology plus African swine fever vaccine development (Vietnam); Salmonella genotypes and population structures (Georgia); genes associated with grain quality (Kazakhstan); and wheat and breeding genetics topics (Turkey), including PAL gene promoter work, stem rust resistance genes, and apomixis at the gene level.
Is the fellowship placement generic or customized?
It is intended to be purpose-built around a defined problem area. The host institution is expected to customize the training and research plan to match the participant's goals and the prioritized technical topic.
Does the fellowship include anything beyond technical research training?
Yes. In addition to technical training, the scope of work emphasizes leadership and communication development so the fellow can better explain and translate their research for policymakers at home, supporting science-based agricultural policies and regulations.
What role does the mentor or principal investigator (PI) play?
The mentor/PI guides the participant during the U.S.-based training at the host institution. The mentor/PI is also expected to handle travel arrangements and accompany the participant on USDA visits in Washington, DC, and to make a reciprocal visit to the participant's home institution.
Are there required trips to USDA in Washington, DC?
Yes. The structure includes two short trips (about two to three days each) to USDA in Washington, DC: one at the beginning of the fellowship for briefing and one at the end for debriefing with key USDA officers.
Is the mentor/PI required to accompany the participant to Washington, DC?
Yes. A specific operational requirement described is that the mentor/PI is expected to handle travel arrangements and accompany the participant during both USDA visits.
Is there an expectation of continued collaboration after the fellow returns home?
Yes. The program is designed to encourage lasting collaboration and sustained professional networks after the fellow returns to their home country.
Is there a reciprocal international visit by the U.S. mentor?
Yes. The mentor is expected to make a reciprocal visit of up to two weeks to the participant's home institution to strengthen institutional ties, understand on-the-ground constraints, and support longer-term follow-on work.
What is the funding instrument type?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary award using an "Other" funding instrument type.
What is the CFDA number and funding opportunity number?
The CFDA number is 10.777. The Funding Opportunity No. is USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 20 0008.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $60,000.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipates 28 awards.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting shows a creation date of June 16, 2020, and an original closing date of August 7, 2020.
How does this program connect to agricultural trade and biosecurity?
The program targets high-priority technical topics that USDA identifies as important to agricultural trade and biosecurity, and it builds partner-country capacity in areas tied to productivity, regulation, risk management, and safe trade.
Since when has Congress supported the Borlaug Fellowship Program?
Congress has supported the Borlaug Fellowship Program since 2004.
What is the main deliverable funded by this grant?
The main deliverable is a highly structured 10 to 12 week training and research experience for an international fellow, delivered by a U.S. host institution, with planned USDA engagement, leadership and communication development, and an emphasis on sustained collaboration.
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| Enabling Agricultural Innovations for Sustainable Food Security: Biotechnology and Seeds Systems in Asia and Africa Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0025 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0025 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Monitoring Soil Health Impacts of CRP Apply for USDA FPAC MULTI CRP 20 NOFO0001030 Funding Number: USDA FPAC MULTI CRP 20 NOFO0001030 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Farm Production and Conservation Business Center Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Strengthening West African Community Phytosanitary Practices Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Strengthening East African Community Phytosanitary Priorities Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0028 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0028 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Alignment of Pesticide Regulations and Standards Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0029 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0029 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $813,000 |
| Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2020 Cooperative Agreements Apply for USDA APHIS 10025 VSSPRS00 20 0124 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10025 VSSPRS00 20 0124 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Promoting Science and Rules Based Standards for Processed Food Ingredients in India and China Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0039 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0039 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $105,000 |
| Micro-Grants for Food Security Program Apply for USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 20 0010 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 20 0010 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,938,557 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 007692 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 007692 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| FY 2020 FFPr Limited Merit-Based NOFO Apply for USDA FAS 0700 10606 C Funding Number: USDA FAS 0700 10606 C Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food for Progress 10.606 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $11,000,000 |
| Building Effective Communication Strategies and Messaging Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0003 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0003 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Promoting Science based standards in the Gulf Standardization Organization Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0004 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0004 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Apply for USDA FSA SND AMA 2020 Funding Number: USDA FSA SND AMA 2020 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $931,000 |
| Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Apply for USDA FSA SND NOCCSP 2020 Funding Number: USDA FSA SND NOCCSP 2020 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| Engaging APEC in Sustainable Agricultural Development Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0005 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0005 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium (IATRC) Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0006 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0006 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| FY 2020 FFPr Limited Merit-Based NOFO 2 Apply for USDA FAS 0700 10606 C2 Funding Number: USDA FAS 0700 10606 C2 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food for Progress 10.606 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $11,000,000 |
| Support to Global Agricultural Innovation Agenda and Forum Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0007 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0007 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions (1890 COEs) Apply for USDA NIFA 1890COE 007732 Funding Number: USDA NIFA 1890COE 007732 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,800,000 |
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