Monsanto Plant Breeding/Genetics Beachell- Borlaug International PhD Program

Monsanto

Bangalore

Beachell- Borlaug International Scholars Program

Recognizing the importance of rice and wheat in global food security, Monsanto Company pledged $10 million to improve yields in these crops as part of its commitment to sustainable yield. Monsanto’s Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program is the result of that pledge. Monsanto established this program in 2009 in honor of two of the world’s most pre-eminent rice and wheat breeders: Drs. Henry Beachell and Norman Borlaug. Their lifelong work laid the foundation for the tremendous increases in rice and wheat production that continue to help feed the world today.

The primary objective of this prestigious fellowship program is to develop highly educated rice and wheat plant breeders who can serve as future agricultural leaders. It will be administered by Texas AgriLife Research, an agency of the Texas A&M University System.

To achieve this, Monsanto’s Beachell–Borlaug International Scholars program:

• Provides a full package of support, including a generous student stipend, tuition, applicable fees, health insurance, research fees and travel, as well as funds for the collaborating institution and advising professor
• Supports projects that allow the student to develop advanced breeding techniques, as well as experience conducting at least one season of field work in a developing country
• Is open to students worldwide who are seeking a Ph.D. in rice or wheat plant breeding

About the Program

Recognizing the importance of rice and wheat in global food security, Monsanto Company pledged $10 million to improve yields in these crops as part of its commitment to sustainable yield. Monsanto’s Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program is the result of that pledge. Monsanto established this program in 2009 in honor of two of the world’s most pre-eminent rice and wheat breeders: Drs. Henry Beachell and Norman Borlaug. Their lifelong work laid the foundation for the tremendous increases in rice and wheat production that continue to help feed the world today.

The primary objective of this prestigious fellowship program is to develop highly educated rice and wheat plant breeders who can serve as future agricultural leaders. It will be administered by Texas AgriLife Research, an agency of the Texas A&M University System.

To achieve this, Monsanto’s Beachell–Borlaug International Scholars program

• Provides a full package of support, including a generous student stipend, tuition, applicable fees, health insurance, research fees and travel, as well as funds for the collaborating institution and advising professor
• Supports projects that allow the student to develop advanced breeding techniques, as well as experience conducting at least one season of field work in a developing country
• Is open to students worldwide who are seeking a Ph.D. in rice or wheat plant breeding.

Goals of Monsanto's Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program

The goals of the Monsanto Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program are to:

1. Aid in the development of highly educated rice and wheat breeders who can serve as future leaders in the field of agriculture.
2. Provide opportunities for young scientists to experience the important work and mission of public sector research institutions, particularly in developing countries

Eligibility for MBBISP

Successful applications will:

• Focus on a critical constraint affecting rice or wheat production
• Demonstrate student’s proven track record of successful study and the accomplishments of the supporting professor
• Include an element of experiential learning in a world area other than where applicant’s previous experience has occurred
• Contain a letter of commitment to pursue work in a public institution in applicant’s home country/region 

• Include study at a participating university with a reputation for quality science and financial management and controls

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Plant Breeding and Genetics or related area
• Be enrolled or accepted in a Ph.D. rice or wheat breeding program and meet all entrance requirements
• Be advised by a professor at the university where the degree will be awarded
• Be eligible to attend school in a foreign country
• For students enrolled in universities in Australia, Canada, Western Europe and the U.S., the collaborating institution’s professor/scientist must be located in a developing country and not in Australia, Canada, Western Europe or the U.S. For students enrolled in universities from all other countries, the collaborating institution’s professor/scientist must be located in Australia, Canada, Western Europe or the U.S. Collaboration with CGIAR center scientists/professors augment the quality of the application but do not fulfill the developed country requirement of the program.

Applicants previously enrolled for their Ph.D. would be eligible for nomination to the program. Such applicants would have two or more years left on their dissertation research before completing their Ph.D. program.

Application for MBBISP

All application materials must be submitted in English electronically by the student’s major professor (graduate advisor) at the university where he/she is applying for the Ph.D. in rice or wheat breeding.

Applications may be submitted via email to mbbischolars@ag.tamu.edu and must include:

• A completed application form (Download application form here)
• Curriculum vitae of student and professor (not to exceed 5 pages each)
• Transcripts of prior university course work (Transcripts can be scanned and must be transmitted electronically.)
• A project proposal, not to exceed five double-spaced pages, including the budget detail. The budget must include expenses required by the collaborating institution
  (See project proposal and budget details)
• Two letters of recommendation that speak to the significance of the proposed project and the applicant’s qualifications to carry it out
• Applications larger than 5MB should be arranged such that no email is transmitted that is larger than 5MB.

Ensure you’ve included all the required items in your packet by downloading a checklist.

Please submit one copy of your application. For 2010, all application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received between November 1, 2009 and February 1, 2011.

An internationally recognized panel of judges will then review all proposals and return its decision on the proposals selected in May.

Further Info on Monsanto Bangalore Plant Breeding/Genetics Beachell- Borlaug International PhD Program