The application portal for 2025-2028 fellows is now OPEN
Apply to be a FFAR Fellow
Due dates in 2025:
- February 22 for the Stipend + Professional Development Category (candidates notified of acceptance by March 15)
- April 15 for the Professional Development Category (candidates notified of acceptance by May 15)
See below for information on the two categories of sponsorship (stipend and non-stipend). Students from any university in the U.S. or Canada are eligible to apply for both categories of the Fellowship.
Sponsorship is matched equally by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and matching funds from industry, NGOs, commodity organizations, or other sources of non-federal funds. Match sponsorship from several of these sources can be combined to support a student. Match sponsorship for the three-year program is US$97,500 for Stipend/Professional Development Fellows and US$15,000 for Professional Development Fellows. In-kind sponsorship (e.g., time, supplies, etc.) is not allowable. Applicants must have a committed match sponsor(s) to submit a full application and be eligible for consideration.
For the Stipend/Professional Development category applicants must have at least 50% of the sponsorship pledged by a non-academic entity (e.g., company, commodity organization, foundation, state government) to be considered. The remaining funds can be from departmental or university accounts as long as the source is non-federal (examples of federal funds not accepted: USDA, NIH, or NSF grant funds). NOTE: In the spirit of FFAR’s desire to generate new funding for agriculture research, applications for which funds are directly invoiced from the sponsor (as opposed to already being at the university) will be prioritized in the selection process.
For the Professional Development category preference will be given to applicants with at least partial funding from a non-academic entity (e.g., company, commodity organization, foundation, state government). However, applicants will still be considered if 100% of the funding derives from departmental or university accounts as long as the source is non-federal (examples of federal funds not accepted: USDA, NIH, or NSF grant funds).
You have no idea what you are in for. You think you do, but it is so much better. You are going to learn so much about yourself. Mostly good stuff, but also a lot of really difficult self-reflection that will challenge and develop you as a person. The program also places a lot of emphasis on building confidence in some of the scary parts of our careers, like negotiation, interviewing, presenting your work, talking to media, work-life balance, demanding respect, and admitting you’re wrong and willing to
change. You’re going to love it!
Apply! Apply! Apply! Join a cohort of fellows who feel like family all while experiencing the support you never knew you needed.
Definitely, definitely, definitely recommend applying!!! Being a FFAR Fellow easily made me a more successful and well-rounded scientist and human being. I had so much fun in this program and I guarantee it gave me a leg up on my career, my relationship with my peers and advisors, and my scientific work.
The descriptor “life-changing” sometimes feels over-used and cliche. But for the FFAR Fellows program, I feel it is highly appropriate. I attribute a massive portion of my success as a doctoral student and researcher to the influence of my training through the program. The FFAR Fellows program made me a better researcher, communicator, public policy advocate, and as a whole, a better human being. I really cannot recommend the program highly enough if you are interested in taking your doctoral career to the next level.
Never hesitate to apply. The outcomes of this program are priceless. You will have access to the most amazing team of professionals and human beings that want you to succeed in the grandest of ways. Without the FFAR Fellows program, I would not have enjoyed my PhD program as much.
The FFAR Fellows program is a golden opportunity to advance your career and establish connections with outstanding experts in STEM and other disciplines. It will help you develop your professional and practical experiences, which will boost your self-confidence and professional competence in your field of study. The chance to receive mentoring, training, travel, and professional networking opportunities opens the door to your future career path.
Application and Eligibility
For additional information, contact the FFAR Fellows Program Director, Dr. Rebecca Dunning.