Borel Global Fellowship program provides opportunities for one to two students per year to complete an MS degree at the University of Delaware while conducting research in their home country in an area of critical need.

Moreover, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Delaware has partnered with AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) to build a Master’s degree program to train African students in plant breeding, crop protection, soil science, agricultural economics, microbiology, wildlife management, and entomology and other areas vital to food security in Africa.

Program Details

Students will be recommended to start at the University of Delaware during the summer to acclimate and begin involvement in research coursework (as much as 3 months in advance of the first semester). Following this, students will spend the next 12 to 18 months completing course work, developing research skills, and beginning a research project to be completed upon return to their home country. Students will spend six to eight months in their home country completing their research. Furthermore, the faculty mentor will travel to Africa during this period to help prepare the student for their thesis defense.

Benefits

Each Borel Global Fellow will receive generous financial support including:

• A stipend to cover living expenses while in Delaware (stipends vary by program; current minimum is $18,000/year)
• Also, A stipend of $1,125 per month covering up to eight months support for the African “in residence” portion of the fellowship.
• A full waiver of tuition for up to 33 credits (currently valued at ~$53,000)
• Also, Round trip airfare to/from the USA (economy class)
• Computer allowance of up to $1,000 (to be purchased at Delaware)
• Reimbursement for the UD application fee ($75)
• Also, Financial support and travel allowance for the UD faculty mentor Students are responsible for purchasing their own health insurance upon arrival to the university; for details, costs and options

Eligibility

• African students with a BS degree (or equivalent) in plant science, agronomy, horticulture, agricultural economics, wildlife ecology, entomology, soil science or microbiology or related discipline.
• 3-5 years of work experience post-graduation in the agricultural sector.
• Also, A sincere and demonstrable passion to return to the home country and contribute to agricultural development, increased food security, and/or agribusiness development.
• A letter of commitment from an African research institute, or university pledging to provide the fellow with in-kind research support for the African portion of their fellowship
• Also, English language proficiency.
• Acceptable scores on the GRE and TOEFL exams.
• Ability to obtain a student visa (F-1) and travel to the USA from the home country.
• Also, Access to the internet in the home country.