FAO/Hungarian Government Scholarship Programme 2020/2021 (Funded).

Deadline: 28 February 2020

Description of the programmes and application procedures

The following Master of Science degree courses are being offered in English for the 2020-21 Academic Year:

• MSc in Food Safety and Quality Engineering (Szent István University)
• MSc in Horticultural Engineering (Szent István University)
• MSc in Animal nutrition and feed safety (Kaposvár University)

Universities

The following universities and faculties are participating:

• Szent István University, Faculty of Food Science
• Szent István University, Faculty of Horticultural Science
• Kaposvár University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Conditions

Courses will be offered provided the minimum number of students is reached.

The scholarship will cover:

• application and tuition fees throughout the study period with basic books and notes; 
• dormitory accommodation; 
• subsistence costs;
• health insurance.

All of the above-mentioned costs are financed by the Hungarian Government, according to the Agreement between FAO and Hungary in 2007.
The scholarship covers student costs only; family members are not supported within the frame of this programme.

List of eligible countries

Residents (who must be nationals) of the following countries are eligible to apply for the Scholarship Programme:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo*, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon,  Madagascar, Mali, Myanmar, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Palestine, the Philippines, Republic of Cabo Verde, Serbia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.

*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).

Application and selection process

The selection process as described below applies to scholarships beginning in September 2020.

Student selection will take place in two phases:

Phase 1: FAO will pre-screen candidates and submit applications to the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary that will send them to the corresponding University as chosen by the applicants. Students must submit only COMPLETE dossiers. Incomplete dossiers will not be considered. Files without names will not be processed.

Phase 2: Selected candidates may be asked to take a written or oral English examination as part of the admission procedure. The participating Universities will run a further selection process and inform each of the successful candidates. Student selection will be made by the Universities only, without any involvement on the part of FAO. Selected students will also be notified by the Ministry.

Candidates will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• Citizenship and residency of one of the eligible countries 
• Excellent school achievements
• English language proficiency (for courses taught in English)
• Motivation
• Good health
• Age (candidates under 30 are preferred)

Application procedure

Interested applicants should prepare a dossier to be sent by E-MAIL (to REU-Scholarship@fao.org) consisting of:

• Application form duly completed
• A recent curriculum vitae
• A copy of high school/college diploma and transcript/report of study or copy of the diploma attachment
• A copy of a certificate of proficiency in English
• Copies of relevant pages of passport showing expiration date and passport number
• A letter of recommendation
• Statement of motivation
• Health Certificate issued by Medical Doctor
• Certificate of Good Conduct issued by a local police authority.

All submitted documents must be in ENGLISH. Documents submitted in any other language will not be accepted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that documents are duly translated and certified by a competent office; and that each document is saved with a name that identifies what it is.

Deadlines:
Applications will only be considered if those are sent by email and arrive between 

15 January 2020 and 28 February 2020

Important notes

As the number of scholarships is limited, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to E-MAIL their applications as soon as possible.

Applicants who were not selected in previous years may re-apply to the 2021-2022 Programme. These applicants will have to submit the complete dossier once again by E-MAIL ONLY.

Please note that the duration of the scholarship cannot be extended or postponed.

Please be informed that the master courses will only start if sufficient number of applications will be received.

A Scholarship Study Contract will be signed between the selected student and the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary (MoAH), which is the donor of the program, at the time of first-semester registration.

Applicants wishing to explore external funding opportunities to cover the travel costs may do so at their own initiative. However, in view of the length of the process, applicants wishing to apply for 2020 scholarships are strongly encouraged to E-MAIL their application while they endeavour to identify funds or pending confirmation that such funds will be granted.

All queries concerning the programme or the application process should be E-MAILED to FAO at:

REU-Scholarship@fao.org

For details, pls read the related documents

• Application form
• Course descriptions and summary of conditions

Would you have additional questions, pls contact 

REU-Scholarship@fao.org

CURBING FOOD WASTE FOR ZERO HUNGER – How you can help.

By Ogbole Esther

Food waste in sub-Saharan Africa for me is personal because each day I live the experiences of massive waste in times of surplus (harvest months) and severe lack and hunger during the 'off' season. Over the years, I have come across very interesting quotes on food waste which has motivated me to take action, such as;

·        Don’t bite off more than you can chew! – Anonymous

·        Someone is dying for the food you’re throwing away! – Anonymous

·        You paid good money for that, why throw it away? – Anonymous

Of the many quotes I have come across, one that constantly comes to mind; reminding me of the effect of food wastage on the future generation is, “Today’s wastage is Tomorrow’s shortage”.

The state of Food Waste in sub-Saharan Africa

''A report published in 2013 estimated that up to 50 percent of the world’s food production ended up in the trash bin. In wealthy countries this food is often thrown away at the consumer and retail level due to excessive purchases and portions or ridiculous standards for food appearance and shape. In poor countries food ends up being lost before it even reaches the table due to lack of infrastructure, poor refrigeration, or unreliable transportation''. In fact, the FAO estimates that Africa as a whole loses enough food annually to feed 300 million, or nearly a third of all of Sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, over 200 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are today undernourished''.

Food waste along the value-chain

Although Paffit, Barthel and MacNaughton (2010)  suggested  that food waste may occur along different stages of the food supply chain, vis-a-vis harvesting, threshing, drying, storage, processing, product elevation, packaging, marketing and distribution, post-consumer and end of life; food wastage at post-consumer stage cuts across different individuals in the society irrespective of whether you are a producer, processor, distributor or consumer. Thus, Alexander, Gregson & Gille (2013) stated that food waste at this stage – post-consumer – has received the most attention over the years.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation – food waste not only has social and economic effects but environmental effects as well; referring to food wastage as “a missed opportunity to improve global food security”. This is because it reduces food availability, depletes or wastes resources used in production, processing and distribution, negatively affects the efforts of farmers, whilst silently depleting the income of consumers and polluting the environment simultaneously. Summarily, food waste weakens the food system.

Beyond the numerous implications food waste has on a society, an important one is the deprivation of essential nutrients we may need tomorrow, which is why it is important to adopt simple measures in addition to structural changes such as recycling wastes, public sensitization, providing electricity for improved storage and formulating policies to checkmate food waste as well as support organizations that promote sustainable food systems.

Wondering how you can reduce your food waste and help achieve food security?

·     shopping smart (buy only what you can consume per time)

·    make a shopping list before each shopping, buy ugly fruits – whether they are crooked or have a protruding back – because they contain as much nutrients as the good-looking fruits

·      avoid over-feeding (eat just as much as you need)

·     check your fridge before shopping (this saves you buying what you already have) 

·        buy loose fruits and vegetables as against pre-packaged ones just to ensure you buy the exact quantity you need,

·   encourage the establishment of urban and school gardens to inspire kids to get involved in the production of the fruits and veg they love.

Engaging in these little habits in addition to government efforts will ensure we fulfill a moral obligation that involves ensuring that food is available for all by avoiding food wastage because “to throw food away means to throw people away” – Pope Francis.

My name is Ogbole Esther Ojonugwa, a graduate of General Agriculture with a major in Agricultural Economics from the Federal University of Technology, Minna – Niger State, Nigeria; currently undergoing a Master’s Degree Programme in Agricultural Economics at the University of Abuja. 

References

FAO (2018): Food Loss and Waste and the Right to Adequate Food. Right to Food Discussion Paper

Alexander, C., Gregson, N. & Gille, Z. (2013). Food Waste. 10.13140/2.1.2239.2964.

Paffit J., Barthel M., and MacNaughton S.(2010): Food Waste Within Supply Chains: Quantification and Potential for Change to 2050. The Royal Society. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0126

https://mongabay.org/programs/special-reporting-initiatives/sri-opportunities/sri-food-waste-spoilage-in-sub-saharan-africa/

Universities Fighting World Hunger 2020 Summit.

Are you working in food and Agriculture?

Then plan to attend the upcoming Universities Fighting World Hunger Summit 2020 at the University of Kentucky, USA.

“Universities Fighting World Hunger (UFWH) is a global higher education movement focused on educating, mobilizing and organizing students, faculty and administrators in the war against hunger. With a UFWH chapter at UK, we are honored to have accepted an invitation from Auburn University and the United Nations World Food Programme to host the 15th anniversary UFWH Summit at the University of Kentucky. Learn more about how you can take action and start a UFWH chapter at your college and how UFWH originated at Auburn University”.

Read more...

Apply for the 2020 HG4RR Exchange Programme.

Deadline: 15 January 2020.

The main objective of the Home Gardens for Recovery and Resilience (HG4RR) Network is to establish an international network of experts (researchers and practitioners) to advance our knowledge on topics related to home gardens, resilience, food security, emergencies and interventions. In facilitating research exchange and building capacity, the HG4RR network aims to study how informal small-scale home gardening acts as a coping strategy tool to strengthen the food security and resilience of vulnerable households living under extreme uncertainty and susceptible to negative shocks. In addition, we aim to better understand the effects home gardens might have beyond material outcomes (access to food), such as on improved livelihoods or women’s empowerment.

The research stays can last up to two months, and you do not need to have published to apply for funding. 

Read more

Become a contributor towards actualising Food and Nutrition Security in sub-Saharan Africa

Deadline: 23rd November 2019


Apply to join the next generation of change makers who are working to actualise Food and Nutrition Security in sub-Saharan Africa through informed knowledge and information sharing. We are currently taking applications for contributors on our new food security blog, www.grow4peace.co.uk. The focus is on discussions around achieving food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Themes:

Nutrition
Food security
Food technology
Food safety
Agri-tech
Crop production
Soil science
WASH
Climate Change
Advancing rural livelihoods etc.

This is also a hub for global opportunities in the relevant areas.
NB. This is not a paid position
The benefits are endless.

Click for more information or to register your interest 

Win $2M Food System Vision Prize for Innovation in Food Futures 2050.

Deadline: January 31, 2020

Join the  Food System Vision Prize, launched by the Rockefeller Foundation and powered by SecondMuse and OpenIDEO.

 Do you have an idea that could change our food future? we’re looking for Visions that answer the question: How might we envision regenerative and nourishing food futures for 2050?

As a Food System Vision Prize participant (a.k.a. Visionary) you will be tasked with developing a concrete and actionable Vision for your chosen place—town, state/province, region, bioregion, watershed, or country—through a systems approach.

A Grand Prize of $200,000 USD each will be awarded to up to 10 Top Visionary Teams. Finalists will also receive entry into an Accelerator, and gain access to advisors and resources from The Rockefeller Foundation. 

Click for more info or apply

Apply: Enhancing capacity to apply research evidence in policy for youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa research grant

Deadline: 19 December 2019

The Capacity Development Office is pleased to announce the “Enhancing capacity to apply research evidence in policy for youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa” research grant funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The grant will award 30 research fellowships in year 2020. Fifty fellowships were awarded in 2018 and 2019, and this is the third and last call for applications.

The fellowship is for young academics, professionals and students at the post-course work/research stage of their programs for the study of Youth Engagement in Agribusiness and Rural Economic Activities in Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be young Africans.
• The research will be carried out in the following countries: Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal, and Zambia.
• Applicants must not be more than 40 years old at the time of application.
• Applicants must be young scholars at a research institute or university in Africa or a student registered in a PhD or Master’s program in recognized universities in Africa, majoring in agricultural economics, agribusiness, economics or a related social science field, and must have finished their university course work.
• Applicants must be able to conduct research in the target countries.
• The duration of the research should not exceed 6 months.

Awards

• Awards for Research Grants are up to $10,000 (Proposals with a reasonable higher budget can also be selected depending on the quality of the research proposal).
• Grantees will be supervised by IITA’s socio-economics scientists in close collaboration with their national/university supervisors.
• Grantees will be offered training on research methodology, data management, and scientific writing.
• Grantees will be offered training on production of research evidence for policy-making.

Click for more info or apply.

Global Giving - Crowdfunding Training Opportunity

Deadline: 24 January 2020.

GlobalGiving is an online platform to raise funds for grassroots projects worldwide across many sectors and themes – including in agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources. GlobalGiving announces a new Accelerator program that will offer virtual training in online fundraising and participation in a two-week crowdfunding campaign. The program is open to nonprofit organizations anywhere in the world. Organizations that successfully complete the GlobalGiving Accelerator by raising at least US$5 thousand total from a minimum 40 different donors will earn permanent membership with GlobalGiving, in addition to $30 thousand in matching funding and bonus prizes. 

Click to apply.

Swedish International Development Agency - Training on Healthy Livestock and Safe Food

Deadline: 15 January 2020.



Sida funds short-term training in selected development topics for participants from developing countries. Organizations in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda are invited to nominate candidates for the 12-months Training Program ‘Healthy Livestock – Safe Food.’ The overall objective of this program is to reduce poverty and vulnerability among smallholder farmers. Candidates representing government organisations, private companies or NGOs at national, regional or local level are encouraged to apply. The training will take place in Sweden. Sida will cover costs related to all program phases, except personal expenses, visa fees or any local airport taxes and departure fees. 


Click to apply.

Apply: Join the Nutrition Team at Oxford Policy Management

Oxford Policy Management (OPM) is looking to hire two staff members working out of our offices in either Islamabad, Abuja or Oxford. The recruit will join a team that works internationally and will have the opportunity to work on our projects globally. 


About Oxford Policy Management: 
OPM is a an international development consultancy and our mission is to help low- and middle-income countries achieve growth and reduce poverty and disadvantage through public policy reform. We have a strong reputation for the quality of our work in supporting governments and other organisations in policy development and implementation. OPM has dedicated staff in
our international offices and in Oxford.


Click to apply.

Nestlé Foundation - Human Nutrition in Developing Countries 2020.

The deadlines for full grant applications are 10 January and 10 May 2020.


The Nestlé Foundation supports research in human nutrition in low-income and lower middle-income countries. In relation to agriculture, the Foundation will consider research on food policy, food production, and food technology if the intervention has high potential for improved nutritional status and public health. The Foundation offers training grants, pilot grants, and full project grants. Priority is for proposals submitted by researchers in developing countries, or jointly with partners in developed countries. A Letter of Intent (LOI) can be submitted at any time of the year. 



Click for more info or to apply.

Apply: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) photo contest.

Deadline: 16 December 2019.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launches a photo competition to promote youth participation in rural development in Latin American and the Caribbean. IFAD seeks images that show young people engaged in rural areas in the region. Ten selected photos will be exhibited during the official ceremony of the Rural Youth Innovation Award (June 2020). The top three winners will receive an all expenses paid trip to the ceremony. Participants should be between 18 and 35 years old. 

Click for more info or to apply.

Apply: Agri-tech catalyst Round 9: Agriculture and Food Systems Innovation (mid stage).

Deadline: 8 January 2020

 

UK organisations can apply for a share of up to £5 million from the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) for projects with partners in eligible African countries. The aim of this competition is to increase the pace of innovation in the development of agricultural and food systems in Africa. Applicants project must result in more use of innovations by farmers and food systems organisations such as manufacturers, processors, retailers, distributors and wholesalers. Applicants proposal must show the potential to have a positive impact on poverty through the uptake of agricultural and food systems technology and innovation. 

Click to apply.

Apply: MasterCard Foundation - Scholarships for Africans at the University of British Columbia 2020

Deadline: 13 December 2019. 

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program funds citizens and residents of Sub-Saharan Africa for graduate studies at the University of British Columbia, USA. The fields of study at UBC include Sustainable Forest Management; Environmental Management; Food Science; Land and Water Systems; and many others. Each Faculty has different deadlines, please check carefully. 

Click for more info or to apply.