ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

IN AGRICULTURE

This program is designed to expand the number of social scientists who have had interdisciplinary research experience in international development. It is open to persons who hold a doctoral-level degree in a social science discipline, and who are citizens of the United States, Canada, or a sub-Saharan African country. Fellows are placed at international agricultural
research institutes based in developing countries. The appointment is for two years, and carries a
stipend approximately equivalent to the salary of a beginning assistant professor. The fellow's
primary function is to develop and carry out interdisciplinary studies pertaining to the specific
research mandates of the host centers. Fellows must therefore possess both good inter-disciplinary communication skills and independent research judgment. A senior social scientist employed by the overseas institution is available for overall guidance.

The process of fellowship selection involves the active collaboration of the prospective
host institution. Once theoretical, methodological, and geographical criteria have been agreed
upon, a specific research program is negotiated with the prospective institution. It is not the purpose of the program to permit a candidate to continue the same type of research in the same
country in which he or she had worked previously. African fellows will be appointed to the international agricultural research centers active in sub-Saharan
Africa.

In order to consider an application the Foundation needs the following:

1. A curriculum vitae, including language skills and field experience, expected date of
Ph.D. completion, citizenship status, and a telephone number.

2. An academic transcript of the applicant's doctoral program.

3. The names and addresses of three references. The applicant should describe the program to the referees and ask each of them to write a letter of recommendation to the
Foundation. If possible, the applicant should include not only references from his or
her own field, but also from someone outside academia who is familiar with the
applicant's work.

4. A two- to three-page letter listing relevant research and work experience, the general type of work (not a specific research project) the applicant is interested in doing
under the program, and regional preferences.

The deadline for completed applications is December 31, 1996 for candidates applying
from North America, and January 31, l997 for candidates applying from overseas. Early in 1997
the Foundation's selection committee will make a preliminary review of all applications, and will
notify candidates of their status. The committee will then ascertain which overseas institutions
are interested in considering the surviving candidates. In February or March candidates will be
invited to an interview at the Foundation. This may be followed by an interview with a representative of the prospective host institution. It is unlikely that any fellowships will be awarded before June; some awards may be made as late as December.

The Ph.D. degree must have been completed (although not necessarily awarded) by the
time the fellow leaves for his or her post. Applicants should not have received the degree earlier
than January, l992. It is exceedingly difficult for the Foundation to carry into the following year
a fellowship for a candidate still completing the Ph.D. degree. If it is unlikely that an applicant
will complete the degree before the autumn of 1997, he or she should wait until then to apply
(for the 1998 competition).

Applications should be sent to the Fellowship Office, Rockefeller Foundation, 420 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York 10018.

June, 1996

Editor: Ali B. Dinar, (aadinar@sas.upenn.edu)