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Epsilon Sigma Phi International Fellowship/Scholarship
A project of the Global Relations Committee
Epsilon Sigma Phi International Fellowship/Scholarship Epsilon Sigma Phi in partnership with the USAID’s Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Sustainable Intensification (SIIL) is looking to contribute to the further education or professional development of extension professionals living and working in the SIIL countries.
The goal of the scholarship/fellowship is to help individuals with their graduate education, or to participate in experiential extension opportunities in the United States. In discussions with SIIL project director, Dr. Vara Prasad, at Kansas State University, and Mike McGuirr from International Programs at USDA, they thought the greatest impact ESP could make would be through an investment in the researchers and Extension professionals who are working in the countries with current connections. The SIIL efforts in the two countries (Senegal and Cambodia) have been identified as pilot counties for this scholarship program. Works involves Extension initiatives in agriculture, family, nutrition, and youth.
The committee recommended and the ESP Board approved to support Extension professionals in the two target countries to continue their graduate education, or to participate in experiential extension opportunities in the United States.
In the next phase of ESPs work in the aforementioned counties, the Global Relations committee will develop and broker exchange opportunities for Extension professionals from the target countries, and also to develop mechanisms to provide international training/consulting opportunities for ESP members through SIIL. The expected timing for this project will be for funding to be secured and the award will be made in the fall 2018.
Timeline:
- Announcement of scholarship and fund development at National ESP Meeting in Oct 2017
- Collection of scholarship matching funds Oct 2017 - Jan 2018
- Determine total amount available between funds raised and matching funds - Feb 2018
- Scholarship announcement and recruitment March - May 31, 2018
- Selection and award determined by June 15 2018
- Project start and completion Aug 2, 2018 - July 31, 2019
- Evaluation of Pilot and presentation at ESP Meeting Oct 2019
- Determine continuation of scholarship Dec 2019
Fund Development:
- ESP National Board has approved up to $2500 of matching funds for a total of $5000.
- Fund development will be initiated by Kevin Gamble who will coordinate with the National ESP office.
- Kevin will coordinate the solicitation so that funds can be deposited at one time with the National ESP office.