On 27 July, Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, announced more than $3.3 million in grants to 23 institutions in 19 states to enhance their international research and teaching capabilities.

"The Obama Administration has prioritized efforts to strengthen domestic and international food security, and these projects will promote innovation to prepare the US agriculture industry to meet the global demands of the 21st century," said Secretary Vilsack.

USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) administers the funds through the competitively awarded International Science and Education Grants program. The projects will enhance the international content of curricula, provide faculty with the opportunity to work outside the United States to bring lessons learned back to the classroom, promote international research partnerships, enhance the use and application of foreign technologies in the United States and strengthen the role that colleges and universities play in maintaining US competitiveness.

The over-arching goal of the grant programme is to strengthen the global competitiveness of students, faculty and staff in agriculture and related areas and enhance business performance in international agriculture.

Further Reading

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You can view the list of fiscal year 2009 grants recipients by clicking here.