Borel Global Fellows Program 2027 for Africans at Iowa State University

The Borel Global Fellows Program supports students committed to enhancing African food security, agricultural development, and/or poverty alleviation to pursue graduate studies at Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The program seeks to help eradicate food and nutrition insecurity while promoting wealth and health for subsistence farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa by educating scientists at Iowa State University who will become knowledge leaders who reside and work in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Application Deadline:

• 15 January 2027 (Note: Applications must be submitted by ISU faculty professors on behalf of admitted students)

Tell Me About The Program:

The Borel Global Fellows Program at Iowa State University (ISU) provides substantial financial support for graduate students from Sub-Saharan Africa pursuing Master’s or Ph.D. degrees within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Established through the generosity of Jim and Marcia Borel, the fellowship aims to train future scientific leaders dedicated to eradicating food and nutrition insecurity, advancing sustainable agricultural development, and fostering long-term prosperity and well-being for farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Which Fields are Eligible:

Graduate programs within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University focusing on:

• Agricultural Sciences & Production
• Food Security & Nutrition
• Agricultural Development & Rural Livelihoods
• Poverty Alleviation & Sustainable Farming Systems

Type:

Fully Funded Graduate Fellowship / Research Assistantship Support

Who can Apply:

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country.
• Admission Status: Must be admitted (or concurrently applying) into a graduate program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.
• Commitment & Intent: Must demonstrate a firm career commitment to contributing to food security, agricultural development, and rural prosperity in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an explicit intention to return, live, and work in Sub-Saharan Africa following graduation.
• Research Focus: Must complete the majority of their graduate research work within Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Nomination Rule: Applications are not accepted directly from students; nominations and applications must be submitted by an ISU major professor requesting support for an eligible student.

How are Applicants Selected:

Candidates are nominated and evaluated based on their academic excellence, alignment with the fellowship’s mission of African food and agricultural development, strength of their research proposal and goal statement, and the committing professor’s backing to support research and remaining funding.

Which Countries Are Eligible:

Sub-Saharan African countries (50+ nations).

Where will the Program be Taken:

Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa, USA), with mandatory field research conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa.

How Many Fellows:

Multiple graduate fellows selected annually based on available funding and faculty sponsorships.

What is the Benefit of the Program:

• Financial Stipend: Up to $25,000 per year provided as a student stipend or a combination of partial stipend and research funding.
• Duration of Support: Funded for up to 30 months for Master’s students and up to 42 months for Ph.D. students.
• Research Travel Grants: Dedicated funding made available for travel by both the student and their major faculty advisor to and from Africa for field research purposes.

How Long Will it Last:

• Master’s Students: Up to 30 months.
• Ph.D. Students: Up to 42 months.

How to Apply:

1. Secure Graduate Admission: Apply and gain admission into an eligible graduate program within Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
2. Faculty Coordination: Coordinate with an ISU faculty member (major professor) who agrees to sponsor your candidacy, provide the remaining required funding, and support your field research in Africa.
3. Faculty Submission: The major professor submits the fellowship application packet on your behalf to the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods staff before the deadline.
4. Required Dossier Items:
   • Major professor’s cover letter (detailing financial and research support commitments)
   • Student’s Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • Student’s goal statement / research proposal