UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 2021 INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM | USDA FAS 10619 0762 10 21 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10619 0762 10 21 0001

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), offered the 2021 International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program (IAEFP) as a discretionary funding opportunity designed to build agricultural education and youth extension capacity in developing countries. The program is authorized under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334, Section 3307; 7 USC 3295) and is meant to place qualified U.S. agricultural professionals in partner countries to help establish or strengthen school-based agricultural education and youth-focused extension models.

At its core, IAEFP has three connected goals. First, it aims to develop a diverse pipeline of globally minded U.S. agriculturalists by giving them meaningful experience living and working abroad. Second, it focuses on practical collaboration that helps partner countries meet their own domestic food and fiber needs by improving how young people learn agriculture and how communities receive applied extension support. Third, it is explicitly intended to reinforce and expand agricultural trade relationships between the eligible partner countries and the U.S. agricultural sector, so the work is not only about local capacity building but also about longer-term bilateral engagement.

USDA expected applicants to propose well-rounded, hands-on program activities rather than purely academic exchanges. Proposals were encouraged to include classroom instruction, field demonstrations, entrepreneurship projects, and leadership development components, reflecting an emphasis on applied learning and youth empowerment. A strong proposal needed to show that the selected priority country was receptive to hosting the fellowship program and that the applicant understood the on-the-ground realities that affect implementation, such as relevant country policies, procedures, and institutional requirements that would need to be built into the work plan. Another key expectation was visible host-country buy-in: the national government, local authorities, and the agricultural community were expected to demonstrate support and a willingness to collaborate in implementing the fellowship activities.

A central responsibility for the recipient organization was to develop and provide a suggested curriculum for fellows that is tailored to the needs of the priority country. Training topics were expected to align with both USDA priorities and the host country’s agricultural policy, development strategies, and extension goals. Proposals were also expected to incorporate themes that support bilateral agricultural trade and to address climate-smart agriculture priorities, indicating that sustainability and resilience practices were not optional add-ons but part of the program’s intended direction.

The fellowship participants themselves were required to be U.S. citizens with at least a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field. They also needed familiarity with U.S. school-based agricultural education and youth extension systems, since the fellowship model is meant to translate and adapt proven education and youth development approaches to different country contexts. In addition, the National FFA Organization and the National 4-H Council were required to be consulted in the U.S. fellow selection process, underscoring the program’s connection to established U.S. youth agricultural development networks.

From an administrative standpoint, the award mechanism was a cooperative agreement, meaning USDA anticipated active involvement in shaping or overseeing aspects of performance rather than issuing a hands-off grant. Eligible applicants were nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they were not institutions of higher education. The opportunity was listed under CFDA number 10.619. The funding opportunity number was USDA FAS 10619 0762 10 21 0001, with a posted date of May 10, 2021, and an original closing date of June 17, 2021. The award ceiling was $500,000, and USDA anticipated making about two awards.

• The Department of Agriculture, International Agricultural Educ Fellowship 10.619 in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 2021 INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.619.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 10, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 17, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA FAS 10619 0762 10 21 0001

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