The International Plant Genetics Resource Institute has opened calls for two Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship 2005 Research Grants supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australia and Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. The Fund aims to encourage the conservation and use of plant genetic resources in developing countries by awarding Fellowships to outstanding young researchers to carry out relevant innovative research at an advanced research institute outside their own country for a period of between three months and one year.
Applicants must be 35 years or under with a masters degree (or equivalent) and/or doctorate in a relevant subject area. Research areas include new conservation technologies and strategies, socioeconomic and human aspects of conservation and use, gemplasm management, forest genetic resources, policy development, genetic erosion assessment and mitigation and conservation and utilization of specific crops.
Applicants for the fellowship supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australia must meet at least two of the following five criteria: target a species that is a priority for both Australia and the home country; target an alternative, neglected or underutilized species with either environmental or economic potential for Australia; work on any of the following specific crops: wheat, barley, oats, sorghum, cereal rye, triticale, maize, canary seed, millets/panicum, canola, linseed, safflower, soybeans, unflowers, chickpeas, cowpeas, fababens, field peas, lentils, lupins, mung beans, navy beans, peanuts, pigeon peas and vetch; carry out research at Australian research institutes (or at an international agricultural research centre if the benefit of the research to Australia can be demonstrated); and use biotechnology in support of efficient use of plant genetic resources.
The deadline for the submission of applications is November 1, 2004. Full details of the fellowships, proposal guidelines and the online application forms may be found at: http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/training/vavilov.htm