Host scientists sought for agriculture research training programme

2012•05•17    Tokyo

The UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP) is now accepting applications are for On-the-Job Research Capacity Building for Sustainable Agriculture in Developing Countries (OJCB) programme. The programme,  coordinated by UNU-ISP, is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.

The purposes of this programme are to:

• develop capacity for agricultural research in developing countries;
• disseminate new agricultural technologies that are adaptable to local conditions and to local farmers;
• ultimately contribute towards increasing world food production through promotion of sustainable agriculture in developing countries.

As part of the programme, UNU-ISP will support capacity-building that is planned and implemented by leading scientists. This includes the opportunity for on-the-job training for young researchers in developing countries.

Each capacity building project will be planned and implemented by a “host” scientist who is engaged in research related to sustainable agriculture in developing countries, and will include:

• on-the-job training for young researchers in developing countries under a host scientist;
• guidance for developing an action plan to be implemented by the trainee after the on-the-job training is completed;
• follow-up guidance by the host scientist for the action plan implemented by the trainee.

The on-the job training component of the programme will normally last for one to three months, but is extendable (depending on the proposed programme) within the limitations of the budget.

Note that this is not a scholarship offer; only host scientists (not potential trainees) are eligible to apply.

For further information and application guidelines, see the OJCB application page on the UNU-ISP website. The application deadline is 20 July 2012.