Funding-Limited Submission - USDA – AFRI Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative – Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships (USDA-NIFA-AFRI-004797); February 11, 2015

The AFRI Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences who will lead agriculture into the future by solving current and future challenges facing our society. The initiative goals are as follows:

· Promote research and extension experiential learning for undergraduates such that upon graduation they may enter the agriculture workforce with exceptional skills.

· Prepare the next generation of scientists through fellowships, including doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships.

Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships promote research and extension experiential learning for undergraduates such that upon graduation they may enter the agriculture workforce with exceptional skills. This initiative will provide opportunities for undergraduate students at colleges and universities, including those from underrepresented ethnicities and economically disadvantaged groups at minority-serving institutions, community colleges, and other universities.

• Up to a maximum of 30 undergraduate fellows may be supported under a single award.
• An undergraduate fellowship may be provided for up to 2 years per student.

• At least 50% of the undergraduate fellows must come from outside the host institution or organization.
• Non-exhaustive examples of experiential projects include: (a) research and/or extension apprenticeships, internships, or similar participatory learning within the six AFRI priority areas; (b) practicums in agricultural laboratories, farms or Cooperative Extension Programs; (c) externships in the private or public sector; and (d) study abroad focused on global food security issues to develop global competency skills.

Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships serve as a conduit for new scientists and professionals to enter research, education, and extension fields within the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. The aim of these fellowships is to cultivate future leaders able to address and solve emerging agricultural challenges of the 21^st century.

Limited Submission: Any single institution can submit a maximum of three proposals for Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiential Learning Fellowships. There is no limit for Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship proposals.

See the complete program announcement for additional details and requirements: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/15_afri_eli_mod.pdf

Because the Department of Agriculture only allows an organization to submit up to three Undergraduate Fellowships applications, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process.  Individuals interested in applying to this program are to submit the following materials electronically, assembled into a single PDF file, to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, January 13, 2015:

• Names and departments of the UK Project Director and key personnel;
• Title of the program and/or funding opportunity announcement number;
• A short description (2 pages maximum) of the proposed program including the rationale, goals and objectives, approach, and expected outcomes.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make a recommendation.  Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

The USDA deadlines for Undergraduate Fellowships are February 18, 2015 for requested (non-required) Letters of Intent and May 6, 2015 for full applications. The deadline for Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship applications is February 11, 2015.