Opportunities of funding for professional development (December 2009)
George, Maria Luz (CIMMYT)
Dear coconut colleagues,
During my tenure as COGENT Coordinator, I met many scientists who have not had the chance to continue their professional development. The coconut Google group is the best way I could think of to widely disseminate information about these opportunities which is compiled by CIMMYt’s Training Unit. Is it okay to send this to the Group from time to time even though it is not specific to coconut?
Luz
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
General research and postdoctoral fellowship opportunities
1) NEW - Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program
The International Fellowships Program was launched with a grant from the Ford Foundation in 2001. The program offers fellowships for post-graduate study to leaders from underserved communities in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Russia. Fellowship recipients are exceptional individuals with demonstrated social commitment and academic achievement. Typically, they are men and women who have overcome obstacles such as poverty and discrimination to gain access to higher education, and they aspire to work for social justice in their home communities upon completion of their studies.
Who Can Apply: Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program applicants must be resident nationals or residents of an eligible IFP country or territory. Currently, these are: Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam. In 2009, final selections were held in Russia, the Philippines and Palestine. All other sites will hold their final selections in 2010. - http://www.fordifp.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx ; http://www.fordifp.org/AboutIFP/HistoryandMission/tabid/62/language/en-US/tabid/64/Default.aspx
2) NEW - Cornell University on the "Frosty" Hill Fellowships
Cornell University dedicates the "Frosty" Hill Agricultural Research Fellowship to the memory of Dr. Forrest F. Hill, cofounder of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), in honor of his significant contributions to the application of agricultural sciences in addressing critical world food problems.
The Fellowship provides financial support for selected senior scientists from international centers supported by or affiliated with the CGIAR to spend from 3 to 12 months with scientists at Cornell University. More importantly, this Fellowship creates opportunities for scientists from the major international centers to work together with scientists from Cornell on significant agricultural problems of mutual priority and concern. http://ip.cals.cornell.edu/professionaldev/frosty_hill_fellowships.cfm
3) The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), Long-Term Fellowships.
The EMBO Long-Term Fellowships are awarded for a period of up to two years and support post-doctoral research visits to laboratories throughout Europe and the world. International exchange is a key feature in the application process. All fellowships must involve movement between countries and one of those countries must be an EMBC Member State. Only candidates who have had a career break for at least one year for child-care reasons will be given special consideration when applying to stay within the same country.
Deadlines are twice a year 15 August and 15 February. http://www.embo.org/programmes/fellowships/long-term.html ; http://www.embo.org/programmes/fellowships.html
4) The Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program helps developing countries strengthen sustainable agricultural practices by providing short-term scientific training and collaborative research opportunities to visiting researchers, policymakers and university faculty while they work with a mentor. The program targets developing countries and matches participants with experts in their field at land-grant universities and 1890's colleges, government agencies, international research centers and other nonprofit institutions and private companies.
The Borlaug Fellowship Program was launched in March 2004 in honor of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, who has been hailed as the father of the Green Revolution. In 2007, Dr. Borlaug received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award, for his lifetime contributions to improving international agriculture and global food security. http://www.fas.usda.gov/ICD/borlaug/borlaug.htm
5) The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), Short-Term Fellowships.
Short-Term Fellowships fund research visits of up to three months to laboratories in Europe and elsewhere in the world. The aim is to facilitate valuable collaborations with research groups applying techniques unavailable in their own laboratories. Short-Term Fellowships are not awarded for exchanges between two laboratories within the same country. Short-term Fellowships are intended for joint research work rather than consultations. All applications should focus on the benefit to the home laboratory and involve movement between countries - one of which must be an EMBC Member State. (For non-EU applicants, the Short-Term Fellowships are for a fixed duration of 90 days).
Applications should ideally be made about 3 months before the proposed starting date. http://www.embo.org/fellowships/short_term.html
6) National Science Foundation: Africa, Near East & South Asia (ANESA) Regional Opportunities. The Africa, Near East, and South Asia (ANESA) regional program enables research and education collaborations with scientists and engineers in all of Africa, the Near Eastern countries including Turkey, and the countries of South Asia, primarily India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Application deadlines vary by program. http://www.nsf.gov/od/oise/anesa.jsp
7) The Netherlands Fellowship Programs (NFP) The Netherlands Fellowship Programs (NFP) are demand oriented fellowship programs designed to foster institutional development. The overall aim of the NFP is to help alleviate qualitative and quantitative shortages of skilled manpower and to do so within the framework of sustainable capacity-building directed towards reducing poverty in developing countries.
Application deadlines vary by country. http://www.nuffic.nl/international-organizations/services/capacity-building/nfp/nfp-introduction
8) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK’s principle funder of basic and strategic biological research. BBSRC supports research and research training in universities and research centers throughout the UK, including BBSRC-sponsored institutes; and promotes knowledge transfer from research to applications in business, industry and policy, and public engagement in the biosciences. There are different funding opportunities provided by BBSRC.
Deadlines vary with different programs http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/Welcome.html
9) The International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology - Short term fellowships. Fellowships will for on-going collaborative research between scientists from ICGEB Member States and the Research Groups at the ICGEB laboratories in Italy, India and South Africa. All applicants must have made prior contact with the ICGEB Group Leader of their choice and obtained a prior agreement on their proposed research project. The fellowship may include a stipend, assistance towards travel expenses and, if requested, a small allocation for laboratory consumables for the host group depending on availability of funds; very short visits may not be eligible for a travel subsidy. Period of support: 3 to 6 months. No deadline
_______________
Graduate fellowship/scholarship opportunities
1) NEW - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, is looking for a number of bright and enthusiastic people with excellent MSc degrees in relevant natural science, agricultural or engineering disciplines to fill the following 10 PhD positions. The deadline for application is 15th December 2009
2) NEW - Monsanto's Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program
The world’s population is estimated to grow from 6.8 billion people today to 9.4 billion people by 2050. Leading experts predict we will need to produce more food over the next 50 years than has been produced in the past 10,000 years combined. Compounding this challenge are the effects of climate change and limited natural resources.
Rice and wheat are two staple crops critical to the food security of billions of people around the world. Together, these two crops feed more than half the world’s population. However, increases in rice and wheat productivity lag behind other crops. Reasons for this include lack of adequate investment to improve varieties and yield, diminishing land and water resources, and environmental stresses. To overcome these challenges and meet growing demand, it’s important to ensure future plant breeders are educated in advanced technologies and have an appreciation for how public sector research can help meet the needs of developed and developing countries.
Please submit one copy of your application. For 2010, all application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received between November 1, 2009 and February 1, 2010.
http://www.monsanto.com/responsibility/sustainable-ag/produce_more/beachell_borlaug/application.asp
3) NEW - The Iowa State University On-line Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business. Develops potential into managerial leadership.
Seed industry professionals face ever-increasing challenges. The Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business (STB) at Iowa State University provides a unique opportunity for seed professionals to grow by gaining a better understanding of the science, technology, and management that is key to the seed industry. The STB program offers a Masters of Science degree as well as graduate certificates in Seed Science and Technology and in Seed Business Management. Science and technology curriculum includes courses in crop improvement, seed pathology, physiology, production, conditioning, and quality. Business topics include accounting, finance, strategy, planning, management information systems, and marketing and supply chain management--including a unique new course in seed trade, policy, and regulation.
Applications for the July 2010 course sequence should be submitted by April 15, 2010. www.seedgrad.iastate.edu
4) NUEVO - El Instituto Internacional de Educación (IIE) – oficina para América latina
La pagina del Instituto Internacional de Educación ofrece número de becas para estudiantes de Maestría y Doctorado de países de América Latina. Por ejemplo - GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program / México & Brazil; Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program; International Fellowship Program (IFP); KAUST Fellowship Program; etc. Para mas información visita - http://www.iielatinamerica.org/cgi-bin/contenido.pl
5) NEW - The Institute of International Education
Number of various scholarships and fellowships, particularly for MSc and PhD studies, is available on the IIE website - http://www.iie.org/. Application deadlines vary.
6) Calling MSc graduates interested in a PhD Scholarship in Plant Breeding.
The African Centre for Crop Improvement at the University of KwaZulu - Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa offers this prestigious scholarship to young African Scientist who are keen to make Plant Breeding their career. The aim of the ACCI is to train African plant breeders, in Africa, on African crops. This involves 2 years of academic studies at the University of KwaZulu - Natal and 3 years of field research in the student home countries, at their home institution. The crop our students breed are food security crop: Cereals, roots and tubers and legumes.
Elegibilty : Applicants must: 1. Be under 40 years of age; 2. Possess a MSc in either Plant Breeding , Plant Genetics, Plant Pathology, Crop Science or Horticultural Science or equivalent degree; 3. Have a position in their home country as an agricultural research scientist in a national agricultural research institution or NGO, or as a University lecturer; 4. Be from one of the following countries: Ethopia, Rwanda, Uganda , Kenya , Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi or South Africa. Successful candidates would be eligible to begin their studies in January 2011. Applications to be sent to Mrs L Mbhele acci...@ukzn.ac.za For more information on this scholarship, please visit the website: The African Centre for Crop Improvement www.acci.org.za
7) Monsanto Fellows in Plant Breeding Fund.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Monsanto have established the Monsanto Fellows in Plant Breeding Fund. The new fund will finance graduate fellowship students pursuing doctoral degrees in plant breeding at the U of I's Plant Breeding Center. The fellowships will be awarded to eight PhD students conducting research projects developed jointly with Monsanto in the area of germplasm enhancement of agronomic and horticultural crops. As part of the agreement, Monsanto may offer students accepting fellowships the opportunity to interact directly with Monsanto scientists and gain valuable experience in a corporate research environment through internship programs.
http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4372.html
8) CONACYT funds for Mexican Ph.D. Candidates at the University of Illinois
A memorandum of agreement between the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), and The National Council for Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT) is providing the opportunity for 50 Mexican students to study for their doctoral degree at the University of Illinois College of ACES.
CONACYT, is providing a $2 million grant over five years to pay tuition and living expenses for three years of graduate study in value-added plant foods or any other program area in agriculture, including genetics, plant physiology, animal physiology, nutrition, economics, plant pathology, immunology, among others.
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) in the College of ACES is pleased to be a host department for this program. It is the goal of this agreement to serve and advance collaborative research and training programs between UIUC faculty and their Mexican colleagues. It is highly recommended, but not required, for the student to have a mentor in Mexico.
For more information, please contact Dr. Schuyler Korban (kor...@illinois.edu).
9) Australian Government’s Overseas Aid Program (AusAID): Australian Development Scholarships
Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are a bilateral program within the Australian scholarships program which aims to contribute to the long term development needs of Australia's partner countries to promote growth and stability. They provide opportunities for people from developing countries to undertake full time undergraduate or postgraduate study in Australia.
Each country program has different timelines. http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/studyin.cfm
_______________
Grants
1) International Foundation for Science (IFS) - General call for applications
Applications for IFS Research Grants are welcome from young scientists in developing countries to do research on the sustainable management, use or conservation of biological or water resources. This broad statement covers natural science and social science research on agriculture, soils, animal production, food science, forestry, agroforestry, aquatic resources, natural products, water resource. http://www.ifs.se/
Green Water Research available water in the soil for plant growth. Deadline: December 31, 2009 http://www.ifs.se/Programme/Announcements/Call_for_applications_GreenWater_2008.pdf
2) Graduate Assistantship, offered in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
The Monsanto Graduate Assistantship, offered in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, supports outstanding students pursuing a doctoral degree in applied plant breeding and genetic improvement of crops. In addition, Monsanto supports one assistantship in cotton production. A total of 14 assistantships—each providing a $24,000 annual salary, individual health insurance, and funds for all required fees and tuition—will be awarded to both U.S. and international students.
Requirements: • Earn a minimum 3.5 grade point average in all master’s level graduate course work • Demonstrate an aptitude for research • Provide three letters of recommendation from professors or employers with knowledge of applicants research and academic abilities • Successfully complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) • Successfully meet all other requirements for admission to graduate studies at Texas A&M University
Application Procedure: Applicants should follow all of the guidelines and procedures to apply for graduate studies in a department offering a plant breeding degree at Texas A&M University at College Station. On-line application to graduate studies at Texas A&M University can be found at http://admissions.tamu.edu.
_______________
Courses
1) CIMMYT announces hands-on training program: Wheat Improvement and Pathology
The Wheat breeding training program is a unique professional development opportunity for early-career scientists who work in the public, private or non-governmental sectors. Scientists working in National Agricultural Research System (NARS) particularly in the area of wheat breeding, pathology and physiology may find this course useful. Course will be conducted in CIMMYT research stations at El Batan and Ciudad Obregon from February 15 till May 14, 2010. For more information visit http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/events/courses/pdf/Wheat_Imp_Pathology_FebMay2010.pdf
2) Breeding with Molecular Marker Course Set for February
The SBC is offering its fourth Breeding with Molecular Marker course on February 16-17, 2010, at UC Davis Buehler Alumni Center. This course is designed for professional plant breeders who want to learn or expand their knowledge on when and how to incorporate molecular markers into their breeding programs. It is also appropriate for lab professionals who want to learn how their work may be applied. The course focuses on current marker technologies, quantitative trait loci, marker-assisted selection, appropriate population structures and sizes and quality control. The second day will host a hands-on workshop on how to analyze marker data with phenotypic data in breeding programs. The course is taught by experienced academic and industry professionals. Enrollment details will be coming soon. For more information, contact Jeannette Martins at jmar...@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-4984.
3) UC Davis Establishes European Plant Breeding Academy
Building on the success of the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy in the United States, UC Davis is partnering with European institutions and associations to offer the European Plant Breeding Academy. The Academy is designed to reverse the current problem of the reduced number of plant breeders being trained in academic programs around the world. This premier training program targets working professionals who desire to become independent plant breeders. The course totals 36 days in length, the longest course of its kind in Europe. Participants will meet for six, 6-day sessions over two years. This schedule will allow participants to maintain their current employment while enrolled in the course. Starting: March of 2010
More information and applications are available at http://pba.ucdavis.edu/The_European_Plant_Breeding_Academy You may also contact Joy Patterson at jpatt...@ucdavis.edu, (530)752-4414.
<<Plant Breeding Academy.en format.pdf>>
4) CIMMYT announces the advanced training course on “Maize Molecular Breeding”
The course will be held at the CIMMYT Headquarters in El Batan, Mexico, from April 5 to April 16, 2010. The course is primarily organized for the South Asia-based AMDROUT project partners but is also open to other partners. The training course is designed for maize breeders working on maize improvement and involved in applying molecular tools for selection. For more details contact p.ko...@cgiar.org and/or r.b...@cgiar.org
<<Announcement-MaizeMolecularBreeding.pdf>>
5) CIMMYT announces the advanced training course on “ Conservation Agriculture: Laying the groundwork for Sustainable and Productive Cropping Systems
The CIMMYT CA course links the advances and multidisciplinary approach to sustainable crop management with vast experience from developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Emphasis is given to conservation agriculture and resource conserving technologies: conventional and reduced till permanent bed planting for both irrigated and rainfed conditions, using alternative crop residue management strategies. Wheat, maize, barley, and dry beans are the crops under study. Strong emphasis is placed on the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. Breeders provide a better understanding of the nature of crop management by genotype interactions. Similarly, plant pathologists furnish a better understanding of disease interactions with new tillage and crop residue management practices. The course is conducted in English. For more details visit http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/events/courses/pdf/Announce_CA_course_2010.pdf or contact p.ko...@cgiar.org and/or b.gov...@cgiar.org
6) Plant Breeding Academy Students Complete First Year
Class II of the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy began instruction in September of 2008 and has just completed the first half of the course. Students in this second PBA class come to Davis from seven states in the U.S. and nine foreign countries. The two-year course provides an opportunity for companies to invest in employees who are currently involved in breeding programs, but who desire further formal instruction in genetics, statistics, and plant breeding theory. PBA Class III will begin in September of 2010. Applications are available now at http://pba.ucdavis.edu.
7) The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)
SIDA offers, as part of its bilateral development assistance, Advanced International Training Programmes of strategic importance to the social and economic development in the participants’ countries. The International Training Programmes are specially designed for persons qualified to participate in reform processes of strategic importance on different levels and holds a position in home organisation with mandate to run processes of change. May 3–21, 2010 in Alnarp, Sweden / November 22–26, 2010 in a participating country. Closing date for application is January 15, 2010.
<<GRIP 10 information brochure.pdf>>
_______________
Awards
TWOWS launches a new prize scheme for young women scientists
TWOWS is now accepting nominations of excellent young women scientists from throughout the developing world. A prize of US$5,000 will be awarded to the best young female natural scientist from each of the four regions of the developing world (Africa, Arab region, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean). The first awards will be presented during the TWOWS General Assembly in Beijing, China, in June 2010. Additional information and nomination forms can be downloaded HERE.
Deadline for nominations: 15 January 2010. http://twows.ictp.it/news-items/twows-launches-a-new-prize-scheme-for-young-women-scientists
Hugh Harries
I don't imagine for a moment that anyone will mind but for the sake of overcrowded inboxes it might be better in future to upload your information to a page entitled, for example, "Training opportunities etc." and let a short message go forward to everyone so that only those interested can open the details on the webpage.
Best wishes, Hugh