The United States Department of Agriculture is offering the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program to establish school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs in developing countries.

1. PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND PRIORITIES

The International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program will provide opportunities to eligible U.S. citizens with a bachelor’s degree and agricultural experience, curriculum development or program development to assist developing countries in establishing school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, PL 115-334, Sec. 3307, 7 USC § 3295. FAS will consider proposals from all eligible organizations, including current recipients and new organizations.

The intention of the IAEFP is three-fold: (1) to develop a diverse group of globally-minded United States agriculturalists with experience living abroad, (2) collaboratively meet the food and fiber needs of the domestic population of eligible countries, and (3) strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible countries and the United States agricultural industry.

Proposal submission should include, but are not limited to, classroom instruction, field demonstrations, entrepreneurship projects, and leadership development. The proposal should address priority country’s receptiveness of the IAEFP and what, if any, country policies and procedures will be necessary to incorporate into the project work plan for strong program implementation. Host country’s government, agriculture community, and local authorities should demonstrate support and commitment to collaborate on the implementation and execution of the IAEFP.

The recipient should provide a suggested curriculum to all fellows that is tailored to the needs of the priority country. Fellows training topics should align with USDA and the priority country’s agricultural policy, development, and extension goals. Topics should also promote bilateral agricultural trade between the priority country and the United States and should address priorities on Climate Smart Agricultural practices. For additional recipient requirements, please see the performance expectations section. United States fellows participating under IAEFP must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field and understand U.S. school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs. In addition, the National FFA Organization (FFA) and the National 4-H Council (4-H) must be consulted on U.S. fellow selections.

2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

USDA anticipates issuing up to two awards to improve developing countries ability to meeting their food and fiber needs, as well as strengthen trade linkages between the United States and selected countries. Each award is expected to support up to nine (9) fellows. The fellowship is expected to last 8-9 months in concurrence with the priority country’s academic year. After selection, recipients will be expected to identify fellows through an organized request for proposals and accompanying application selection process. This candidate selection process should also include 4-H and FFA representatives as subject matter experts (SME). Applicants are expected to identify their respective 4-H and FFA selection SME panel representatives within thirty days following negotiations. All final fellow selections must be submitted to the USDA for final concurrence.

Although each fellow should be assigned to a specific site within the proposed country, they are expected to participate as a cohesive cohort. Applicants should prepare their approach accordingly. Award recipients will be required to work with relevant FAS Posts, as well as appropriate U.S. Embassy personnel, on all programmatic issues. Regular periodic updates on program implementation should also be provided to USDA and FAS Post Representatives.

3. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

For FY 2021, in alignment with President Biden’s February 02, 2021, Executive Order on addressing the cause of migration from the region to the United States, USDA has deemed the Northern Triangle region of Central America a priority for programming. Applicants may submit proposals for one or more countries within the Northern Triangle region. Each proposal must be country-specific and tailored to the context of that country. Depending on ever-changing on the ground security situations, the USDA may elect not to award or fund proposals for a country(ies). In addition, USDA may elect to make amendments to agreements.

USDA encourages that applicants collaborate with existing in-country programming, such as: the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program, the Cochran Fellowship Program, the Food for Progress Program, and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program, the Local and Regional Procurement Program, and/or USAID or other USG programming. All proposal submissions must demonstrate that security considerations have been assessed and address all measures that would be implemented to ensure the safety and security of all program participants. All proposals should recognize any priority country government requirements to allow for smooth implementation of this program.