The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) is excited to announce about the recruitment for the African Animal Feed and Fertilizer Scientific Exchange Program (SEP) for researchers in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia. The African Animal Feed and Fertilizer Program will focus on increasing access to high-quality animal feed and innovative techniques leading to improved efficiency of fertilizers among African smallholder farmers.
The program is specifically intended for applicants from Africa to travel to a U.S. institution for an 11 to 12-weekresearch residency program focusing on animal feed and fertilizer innovation to illustrate how the adoption of improved animal feeding coupled with innovative and efficient fertilizer, nutrient management, and cropping practices will assist in reducing food insecurity. The program is anticipated to start in May 2024.
The fellowship is fully funded with all expenses paid including international and domestic travel to the United States, J-1 visiting scholar visa application fee, health insurance in the United States, lodging, and per diem. The fellowship does not pay for salary or fringe benefits, nor does it pay for any personal expenses or research projects in the fellows’ home countries upon return.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ideal candidates are interested in developing knowledge and solutions to address topics related to animal feed and fertilizer innovation. Women applicants and researchers from rural areas are strongly encouraged to apply. Furthermore, researchers who can also serve as decision-makers in bringing about significant policy and institutional changes for sustainable reform initiatives in their home institutions are strongly encouraged to apply. Fellowships last between 11-12 weeks. All program proposals must include goals that are achievable within that timeframe. After completing the U.S.-based portion of the fellowship, the mentor will visit the Fellow’s home institution approximately one year after the U.S. portion of the training.
Candidates will be evaluated, interviewed, and selected based on the following criteria:
• Must be a citizen of and currently reside in either Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia
• Excellent comprehension of the English language (reading, writing, and speaking)
• Master’s degree or higher with at least two years of practical experience
• Currently employed by a government entity, university, research institution, or other scientific institution in the eligible countries
• Intention to continue working in home country for a minimum of two years following return from the United States
• Early/mid-stage of professional career (2-10 years of experience preferred; candidates with more than 15 years of experience are weakly competitive; candidates with 20 years or more experience will not be considered)
• Proposal directly related to one of the listed research areas
Please submit your application to for the 2024 African Animal Feed and Fertilizer Scientific Exchange Program to Pamela Ngqinani (pamela.ngqinani@usda.gov) no later than 9:00 AM South African Standard Time on February 8, 2024.
Application Requirements:
• Application form completed and signed
• Signed approval from applicant’s home institution (Section XIV of Application)
• Two letters of recommendation (academic and professional preferred)
• Copies of diploma(s) for college/university degree(s) received
• Copy of valid passport identification page
