Allawards have been distributed for 2009 and we are not acceptingapplications at this time.  Future Requests for Applications andapplication forms will be posted at a later date in 2010.

The Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program grant will be given to outstanding graduate students to support internships of up to 12 months. It is expected that the applicant and his/her US mentor will establish an agreement with the CGIAR scientist with whom they intend to collaborate. Grant funds can used to support student's travel to the research site, research support at the CGIAR, and for the U.S. faculty member to visit the research site to mentor the student in collaboration with a CGIAR scientist.

The focus region for the ongoing RFA is sub-Saharan Africa. For African university students who need assistance in making contact with a US university faculty member to act as a mentor, the Borlaug LEAP at UC Davis could serve as a resource. Interested applicants should contact the Borlaug LEAP administrative office at BorlaugLEAP@ucdavis.edu for information.

The focus for the current limited release RFA is Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSPs). Applicants responding to this RFA must be affiliated with a CRSP project though they may be citizens of any USAID-assisted country in all regions of the world.

Applicants who need assistance in making contact with a CG scientist to act as a mentor, should communicate with the CG focal point at the individual CG Centers.

The Borlaug LEAP grant has a maximum value of USD 20,000. To date, over 30 awards have been made. Grant funds are not intended to cover all costs. Candidates are expected to leverage outside funding in support of the internship.

The intended objectives of the program are to:

• Train young scientists to address current and emerging technology issues;
• Target topics relevant to development priorities in USAID-assisted countries;
• Help strengthen national agricultural research centers and universities to develop future young scientists;
• Enable students from developing countries to access the vast knowledge and expertise of the U.S. university community and CGIARs;
• Increase the linkages between US universities and the CGIAR to better address problems of international development; and
• Support the development of developing countries and thereby reduce food insecurity that forms the basis for instability and insecurity at home and abroad.