How to apply

Email contact: BorlaugLEAP@ucdavis.edu

The application must be:

• completed either on a computer or with a typewriter. Handwritten applications will not be reviewed.
• completed in full.
• signed with an original or electronic signature.
  
  

The Essay (3600-word limit)

The 3600-word essay is a critical component of the application packet. Students should take great care in developing their essay and address all four selection criteria (see above). The essay is divided into four  topics, each with a word limit. The topics are:

• Thesis Research Plans (1000 word limit).  Provide a synopsis of your thesis research plans and the importance and impact of your research.   Include a brief description of the research objectives, the methods and approach as well as the significance of the research.
• Personal Scientific Background and Vision Statement (800 word limit).  Provide an essay on your personal scientific background and vision for agriculture-led growth in your home country, the relevance to development priorities and how you will apply the knowledge and experience gained from the fellowship to achieve that vision.  
• Leadership (1000 word limit). Describe what leadership means to you and what experiences have informed your perspective.  Explain how your individual initiative and creativity shaped your thesis research.  Provide examples of past leadership experiences, how you believe you will lead and be a future leader and/or how you expect to develop your leadership skills.
• Plan of Activity (800 word limit). Describe a clear plan of activity at the CGIAR and/or US university, what will be achieved and how the research is integrated with, and enhances your planned thesis research. Also, provide a description of and rationale for the linkages between the US or developing country university faculty, CGIAR scientist and the student and the role of the mentorship in the student's thesis research.
  
  

Recommendations

Recommendations are required, one from the US faculty mentor, one from the CGIAR scientist mentor and one from a developing country university faculty member or national agricultural research center scientist.  It is important that the recommendations address the topics below.

The letters from the mentors should include:

• An assessment of the applicant's character, leadership potential, creativity, communication skills, and ability to work across disciplines.
• An assessment of the student's academic and professional potential.
• A description of the mentor's role in the student's research work.

The letter from the developing country university faculty member or national agricultural research center scientist should include:

• An assessment of the relevance of the student's research to the development priorities of the country.

Supplemental Applications from CGIAR and US University Mentors

Both the CGIAR and US University mentors must complete the supplemental application. The supplemental applications must be:

• completed either on a computer or with a typewriter. Handwritten applications will not be reviewed.
• completed in full

• signed with an original or electronic signature. 

The Application Form (for download at the top of this page) includes the supplemental application forms.

Passport Photo

A single passport type photo must be attached to the first page of the application in the indicated box. The photo should be approximately 4 x 5 cm (1 1/2 x 2 inches). The following guidelines should be followed:

• the photo background should be plain
• the head should be position directly facing the camera
• eyes should be open and looking at the camera
  
  

Budget & Budget Justification

The application package must include a budget, completed on the form provided. Detailed instructions are provided on the first worksheet of the budget form. No institutional overhead or indirect costs are allowed on this award.

Each budget must be accompanied by a budget justification included on the budget spreadsheet. The budget justification is a detailed narrative description and explanation of the budget, identifying how costs were derived.

Leveraged Funding

The application package must include a description of leveraged funding, completed on the form provided. Detailed instructions are provided on the first worksheet of the budget form. The Leveraged Funding form is the third worksheet in the file. The top portion of the Leveraged Funding form is for reporting cash or grant funds from outside sources and the bottom portion for reporting in-kind support. Leveraged funding is taken into consideration in the application review process (see selection criteria).  It is not, however, considered official cost share or match.  The purpose of the leveraged funding form is to show additional funding sources that support, either directly or indirectly, the student's research.  Waived indirect should be included on this form.

Proof of Enrollment

All applicants must submit an official letter that certifies that the student is currently enrolled in a PhD or Master's level program at a graduate-level university for the duration of their fellowship.

Additional Information - FINALISTS

Top-ranked applicants will be interviewed either in-person or by phone before a final selection is made. Interview questions will cover the applicants demonstrated leadership skills and potential, the contextual role of research in the student's country, how research can be scaled up to issues of poverty in the region and the student's plans for the future. In addition, finalists will also be asked to provide the following documents:

University Transcripts and TOEFL score

Official transcripts of an applicant's undergraduate and graduate course work at an accredited university(s) are required. Applicants are also required to submit a copy of their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score if English is not their first language or if they have not been enrolled in a English speaking University.

Passport Identification Page

A photocopy of the applicant's photo and personal identification page from their passport must be provided. In addition, applicant's currently in the US must include a copy of their US visa and I-90 form.

Institutional Certification of Support

Two certifications of support are required, one from the US university and one from the CGIAR. The US university letter must be signed by the appropriate administrator of the Sponsored Programs Department and the CGIAR letter must be signed by the Director General. The letters should include:

• the sources of financial and in-kind support being provided to the student for implementation of the LEAP grant.
• approval of the application and budget
• authorization to waive all indirect costs and administrative fees associated with the award.

When To Apply

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFAs)

Applications are requested for sub-Saharan African students conducting research on topics related to the US government's global hunger and food security initiative -- FEED THE FUTURE.  The focus region is sub-Saharan Africa.  All topics related to agriculture (as defined by Title XII) and the research strategies of the Feed the Future Initiative are admissible. 

The due date for applications is:  JUNE 14, 2013 for fellowships September 15, 2013 through September 14, 2014.