Apply to be a FFAR Fellow

Application due date:

  • March 1, 2027 is the deadline for the Professional Development Category. Candidates will be notified of acceptance by March 19.
    For the 2027-2023 cohort this is the only application category available due to decreases in the availability of funding. The Stipend and Scholarship categories are not available for this cohort.

Students from any university in the U.S. or Canada are eligible to apply.

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 FFAR Fellows Program is US$15,000 for Professional Development Fellows with the sponsor invoiced by NC State University for $5,000 per program year. 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 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 agencies such as the state department of agriculture). 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!

Messages from graduates of the FFAR program

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.

Messages from graduates of the FFAR program

Apply! Apply! Apply! Join a cohort of fellows who feel like family all while experiencing the support you never knew you needed.

Messages from graduates of the FFAR program

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.

Messages from graduates of the FFAR program

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.

Messages from graduates of the FFAR program

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.

Messages from graduates of the FFAR program

Application and Eligibility

  • Completion of a MS degree or one year of a PhD program by August 2027
  • Acceptance in a PHD program by May 1, 2027
  • Three years remaining in the degree program (Fall 2027 to Spring 2030) (applicants with 2-years remaining will be considered)
  • A confirmed PhD faculty advisor
  • Confirmation of a financial sponsor (sponsors can include companies, foundations, NGOs, grower organizations; university departments can also sponsor students using non-federal funds). Sponsors provide $5,000 per year of the program. NC State University will invoice the sponsor(s) each year.
  • Residency, study visa, or green card
  • Availability to attend the full orientation week at NC State University in Raleigh, NC, August 8-14, 2027
  • Eagerness to participate in the FFAR Fellows and ability to spend the equivalent of a 20-25 hours each semester on fellows training and activities

  • Statement of interest in being a member of the FFAR Fellows Program (3 application essay questions)
  • Student CV
  • Faculty adviser CV
  • Three or four reference letters.
    For students already in a PhD program, three letters are required, one of which should be from the current advisor. For students with an MS but not currently in a PhD program four letters are required, one of which is from the MS advisor and one from the future PhD advisor. Letters should speak to the candidate’s capacity and desire to engage in a cohort-based professional development program that complements their research activities. Fellows spend 20-25 hours per semester on fellows training and activities and should be not only willing, but eager for this engagement. Applicants are highly encouraged to supply a letter of recommendation from their sponsor.
  • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are allowed. Official transcripts may be requested if the applicant is selected.
  • Letter of financial commitment from the financial sponsor(s) (must be a non-federal source of funds). Applicants are highly encouraged to seek a sponsor as far in advance of the application date as possible. Only applications with financial sponsors will be considered during the selection process.

The applicant must meet all eligibility requirements and their research topic must address one or more of the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research’s three Critical Priority Areas: Agroecosystems, Food Systems, Production Systems.  Applicants are encouraged to read and connect their research area to the Foundation’s Research Strategy for 2024-2028.

Applications are considered by a selection committee comprised of the following:

  • Scientists and business professionals from companies in the fields of agriculture and the life sciences
  • Research and academic administrators from university programs in agriculture and the life sciences
  • Program officers from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research

Applications are judged primarily on the quality of the student and the student’s potential to benefit from and contribute to a peer cohort of future leaders in food and agriculture. Applicants are also encouraged to read and connect their research area and career interests to the Foundation’s Research Strategy for 2024-2028.

Finalists may be invited to an online interview with members of the selection committee.

Financial commitment letter: The letter of financial commitment from the financial sponsor should be submitted with the student’s application and include the following:

  1. Pledge of financial support, US$5,000 per year for each of three years, paid by August 15 of each year.
  2. Pledge to mentor the Fellow: industry (or analogous) sponsors commit to having one (or more) representatives from the industry or other entity serve as a mentor to the student, working with the student on their annual professional development plan and being available for student questions. Students with university sponsors will be matched with an industry (or analogous) mentor.
  3. Preference will be given to applicants with at least partial funding from a non-academic entity (e.g., company, commodity organization, foundation, state agencies such as the state department of agriculture). However, applicants will be considered and reviewed if 100% of 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).

Number of sponsors: Applicants can have up to four sponsors (a 50-50 split for sponsorship between the student’s university and an industry, for example).

Role of the industry mentor: Each FFAR Fellow has 2-3 mentors in addition to their PhD advisor. One of these is the can be a representative from the student’s industry (or other) sponsor. The second and third could be other academicians from the same or another university (preferably in a field not already represented by the student’s dissertation committee), an industry member, or someone from the governmental or non-profit sectors. Members of the student’s mentorship team will consult individually (in person or virtually) with the Fellow in the fall and early summer to guide students in creating and revising their annual Professional Development Plans. Mentors are also asked to be available to answer student questions regarding their professional development.

Benefit of being a sponsor: Industry and other entities (e.g., commodity organizations, state departments of agriculture, foundations) sponsoring Fellows will gain several benefits. Sponsors are be able to build stronger ties with universities and scientific research programs with which they would like to work on an ongoing basis. Sponsorship allows the entity to express to its stakeholders its commitment to supporting student development. Lastly, a number of sponsors see in their Fellow a future member of their organization, who is being trained not only in valuable technical and scientific skills, but also in the non-cognitive “soft skills” such as team work, flexibility, and communication that are key to successful and productive careers.

Complete applications must be received by midnight EST March 1, 2027. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by March 19.

To be considered for the fellowship, students must submit all application materials by the due dates, including all letters of reference and the confirmation of financial commitment from a university, industry, or analogous sponsor.

For additional information, contact the FFAR Fellows Program Director, Dr. Rebecca Dunning.