(Washington, D.C., December 15, 2020) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) today announced they are accepting applications to the 2021 Lincoln Leaders Program, which includes fellowship opportunities to connect USDA resources with faculty and staff at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, 1994 Tribal Colleges, and Universities, and 1890 Land-Grant Universities.
“We launched the Lincoln Leaders Program last year to build off the more than two decades of success of the E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship,” said OPPE Director Mike Beatty. “Today, the need to empower faculty and staff from our partner institutions to develop the next generation of agriculture is more important than ever and we view these three fellowships as vital components of this work.”
The purpose of these fellowships is to connect participants to USDA and other federal resources that will enhance their professional knowledge. Fellows will receive access to long-term collaboration opportunities, and then share what they learned with students and colleagues at their home institutions.
The E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program is for faculty or staff at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) or Hispanic-serving school districts. HSIs are accredited colleges and universities with at least 25 percent Hispanic student enrollment. Currently, there are more than 500 HSIs in 21 states and Puerto Rico, serving more than 2 million students. See the 2021 E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program application (PDF, 1.6 MB) for details.
The Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship benefits faculty and staff from 1994 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and secondary education superintendents, principals, agricultural and/or district level teachers working for Bureau of Indian Education designated high schools. See the 2021 Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship application (PDF, 658 KB) for details.
The Booker T. Washington Fellowship reaches faculty and staff at accredited 1890 Land-Grant Universities and secondary education superintendents, principals, agricultural and/or district level teachers working for 1890 Land-Grant University feeder high schools. See the 2021 Booker T. Washington Fellowship application (PDF, 895 KB) for details.
Each program offers opportunities for education fellows and science fellows. Education fellows participate in a week-long program in Washington, D.C. scheduled to start June 21 and end on June 25, 2021. Science fellows participate in a two-week program, consisting of one week in Washington, D.C. and a second week at a USDA research location, ending on July 2, 2021.
The application deadline for all fellowship opportunities is 11:59 p.m. on March 1, 2021. Learn more about USDA partnerships with minority-serving higher education institutions.
About the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement develops and maintains partnerships focused on solutions to challenges facing rural and underserved communities in the United States, and connects those communities to the education, tools, and resources available to them through USDA programs and initiatives.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.