Global Agriculture Programs

Young Scientist To Scientist Program

(Between Romania and USDA/Iowa State University)

Objectives:

The main objective of this program is to provide highly skilled Romanian young scientists an opportunity to work with Iowa State University scientists for four weeks and learn the latest developments in science in various areas of agriculture, marketing, and international trade and policy so that they are able to apply this newly learnt knowledge for Romania’s development and in their own research programs.

Eligibility/Qualifications:

• Applicants to this program must be Romanian citizens who are less than 35 years of age on May 31, 2002.
• Must have at least MS degree in their respective fields with at least three years of practical experience at an institution of higher learning in Romania. Must be currently employed at an Romanian Institution of higher learning and have a strong recommendations from their home institution to participate in this program and serve the institute for a minimum period of one year after their return.

Priority Areas of Training Program

• Agricultural Marketing, including export marketing strategies
• Agricultural finance and risk assessment
• Agricultural business, farm management, and financial management
• Agricultural trade and policies
• Information management systems
• Strategic planning and decision making systems for institutional reforms
• Animal manure and nutrient management systems including regulations
• Water quality monitoring, management and watershed models
• Agricultural best management practices for sustainability and environment
• Organic farming, composting, and value addition to manure
• Integrated water management systems/irrigation/drainage management
• Food safety and food quality standards
• Value addition to crops and meat products
• Animal disease, health, and vaccinations
• Biotechnology, GMO, and agro-terrorism
• Seed and grain processing, storage, and quality

Application Procedure:

Interested applicants must complete the application forms (to include name, birthday, address, telephone and fax number, e-mail address, qualifications, experience, authorized signature of the sponsoring institution), write one page abstract on the need for this training and their interest in this program, transcript of college degrees, three page curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation. Submit completed duplicate application forms to:

Ms. Carmin Podani
USAID Office
Opera Center Building
1-5 Costache Negri Str
4th Floor
Bucharest 5, Romania.

Duration and Location of Training Program:

4 weeks at Iowa state University, Ames, Iowa 50011

Review Procedure:

All applications will be reviewed by the USAID Office in Bucharest and by the World Bank ASSP Project office in Bucharest. In addition, all applications will be sent to Mr. Brian Guse, USDA office in Washington, DC, and Dr. Ramesh Kanwar at Iowa State University for their review and input on the eligibility of the applicants for this program.

Training at Iowa State University

A total of 10 scientists have been sent to Iowa State University in 2 groups of 5 scientists each during the 2002-2003 academic year. Another 10 scientists will be selected to participate in the program during the 2003-2004 academic year.