Applications are open for the 2023-2026 FFAR Fellows Cohort. This year, there are five new scholarship slots for the professional development category, funded by the Rockey FFAR Fellows Fund.
US food and agricultural systems are regularly experiencing new challenges, including climate change, a growing population and evolving pests and pathogens. Employers need early-career scientists trained to conduct research that helps farms and food systems adapt to these unprecedented changes.
In partnership with North Carolina State University, FFAR launched the FFAR Fellows Program to provide career guidance to the next generation of food and agriculture scientists. Unique to this program, we prepare a career ready STEM workforce by breaking down the disciplinary silos and focusing on professional development and soft-skills.
Fellows receive grants to pursue research that aligns with our Challenge Areas. Additionally, students are paired with industry mentors who provide career guidance. This mentorship equips students with the skills needed to facilitate their transition to the workforce and prepare future food and agriculture leaders.
Sponsorship is matched equally by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and matching funds from industry, NGOs, commodity organizations, or other sources of non-federal funds. Match sponsorship from several of these sources can be combined to support a student. Match sponsorship for the three-year program is US$97,500 for Stipend + Professional Development Fellows and US$15,000 for Professional Development Fellows. All Fellows participate equally in the professional development meetings and activities. Applicants must have a committed match sponsor(s) to submit a full application and be eligible for consideration. For the Stipend + Professional Development category preference is given to applicants with industry, commodity organization, or foundation sponsorship.
Students accepted into the Stipend + Professional Development category will receive $49,500 each year to cover tuition, fees, stipend, and related costs. Students applying to this category should already have a defined research project and an industry or analogous sponsor (e.g., grower organization, foundation). The sponsor(s) will commit $32,500 per year to the Fellowship, matched equally by FFAR. The total of $65,000 is distributed as follows: $49,500 for student stipend tuition, fees, etc.; $5,500 for university overhead; and $10,000 is retained by the FFAR Fellowship Program lead institution, North Carolina State University, for program management and costs of the professional development training including five face-to-face meetings over the 3-year period. While preference is given to candidates with industry or analogous sponsors, university departments may also sponsor students as long as the source of funds is non-federal. Applicants can also be sponsored by a mix of entities, for example, 50% by their institution, 25% by industry, 25% by a commodity organization. Student applicants must be enrolled or accepted by a PhD program at a U.S. or Canadian university
Benefits
- Students accepted into the Stipend + Professional Development category will receive $49,500 each year to cover tuition, fees, stipend, and related costs. Students applying to this category should already have a defined research project and an industry or analogous sponsor (e.g., grower organization, foundation).
- The sponsor(s) will commit $32,500 per year to the Fellowship, matched equally by FFAR.
- The total of $65,000 is distributed as follows: $49,500 for student stipend tuition, fees, etc.; $5,500 for university overhead; and $10,000 is retained by the FFAR Fellowship Program lead institution, North Carolina State University, for program management and costs of the professional development training including five face-to-face meetings over the 3-year period.
- While preference is given to candidates with industry or analogous sponsors, university departments may also sponsor students as long as the source of funds is non-federal.
- Applicants can also be sponsored by a mix of entities, for example, 50% by their institution, 25% by industry, 25% by a commodity organization. Student applicants must be enrolled or accepted by a PhD program at a U.S. or Canadian university.
Eligibilities
- Completion of a MS degree or one year of a PhD program by June 2023
- Acceptance in a PHD program by May 1, 2023
- Three years remaining in the degree program (Fall 2023 to Spring 2026)
- A confirmed PhD faculty advisor
- Confirmation of a financial sponsor (sponsors can include companies, foundations, NGOs, grower organizations; university departments can also sponsor students using non-federal funds). Sponsors provide funding for 50% of the costs of the fellowship, with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research providing 50%. Total sponsorship costs for the three-year program are US$97,500 for Stipend Fellows and US$15,000 for Non-Stipend Fellows. All fellows receive equal training as part of their cohort.
- TOEFL Score indicating a minimum of 23/30 for listening, speaking, writing (exclusions for those with an undergraduate or master’s degree from programs with English as a language of instruction; or students from any country where English is an official language)
- Residency or study visa
- Availability to attend the orientation week at NC State in Raleigh August 6 – 12, 2023
- Eagerness to participate in the FFAR Fellows and ability to spend the equivalent of a 1-hour course each semester on fellows training and activities
- Students from any university in the U.S. or Canada are eligible to apply for both categories of the Fellowship.
Eligible Regions: USA, Canada
Application Process
Components needed
- Statement of Interest in the FFAR Fellows Program (1500 words)
- Applicants should provide the following in their Statement of Interest, written in non-technical prose:
1. The connection between the applicant’s research area and one or more of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Challenge Areas.
2. The connection between their research area and their own personal motivations to help solve these challenges.
3. A description of how participation in a cohort of like-minded individuals will contribute to their individual development as scientists and leaders.
4. An explanation of their interest in the two core features of the FFAR Fellows Program: - Development of professional skills including teamwork, communications, project management, etc.
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- Access to and mentorship by industry, government, and other non-academic professionals
- A description of the applicant’s career goals.
- Applicants should provide the following in their Statement of Interest, written in non-technical prose:
- Student CV
- Faculty adviser CV
- Three or four reference letters.
For students already in a PhD program, three letters are required, one of which should be from the current advisor. For students with an MS but not currently in a PhD program four letters are required, one of which is from the MS advisor and one from the future PhD advisor. Letters should speak to the candidate’s capacity and desire to engage in a cohort-based professional development program that complements their research activities. As mentioned earlier, fellows spend the equivalent of a 1-hour course each semester on fellows training and activities and should be not only willing, but eager for this engagement. Applicants are highly encouraged to supply a letter of recommendation from their sponsor. - Undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are allowed. Official transcripts may be requested if the applicant is selected.
- Letter of financial commitment from the financial sponsor(s) (must be a non-federal source of funds)
- Complete applications must be received by midnight February 22 for the Stipend + Professional Development category, and by midnight April 15 for the Professional Development category. Fellows will be notified by March 15 for the Stipend + Professional Development category, and by May 9 for the Professional Development category.To be considered for the fellowship, students must submit all application materials by the due dates, including the confirmation of financial commitment from a university, industry, or analogous sponsor.
Application Deadline: February 22, 2023
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