Note the deadline to apply for this worskhop has passed. Please contact ARC@gatesfoundation.org with any questions.

A Workshop to Explore Scientific Research Collaborations for Agricultural Development

May 2010: Biotic Stress in Crop Plants

The Biosciences eastern and central Africa – International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) are collaborating to host the Agricultural Research Connections (ARC) workshop on Biotic Stress in Crop Plants May 2nd through May 7th, 2010, in Nairobi, Kenya. This unique workshop will bring together scientists based in sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, and the United Kingdom to foster scientific collaborations with the potential to create new pathways out of poverty for African farming families by addressing issues related to biotic stress in crop plants.

Participating scientists will be given the opportunity to describe their own areas of expertise and explore with other workshop participants how various collaborations could contribute to the advancement of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa for the benefit of smallholder farmers. The goal of this workshop is to catalyze new research partnerships among high-caliber scientists in the US, UK, and Africa who could then compete for funding through calls for proposals such as the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development (BREAD) program, and BBSRC.

Participants will tour regional laboratories and facilities, visit local farmers, and attend workshop discussion sessions in Nairobi and the surrounding area. Workshops will include presentations on agricultural challenges in Africa, highlighting crop biotic stress research programs. We expect participants to play an active role in seeking and developing new research partnerships, including developing proposal outline ideas for future competitive funding opportunities.

The focus of the 2010 ARC workshop is biotic stresses in crop plants. Participants will be selected based on criteria including scientific excellence (for career stage), and potential for developing collaborative projects relevant to Africa. Prior international experience is not required and first-time visitors to Africa and early career scientists are especially encouraged to apply. To apply, please complete the appropriate online application by February 26th, 2010 for U.S. and U.K. applicants, and by March 5th, 2010 for African applicants.

Scientists based in Africa	Scientists based in the United States	Scientists based in the United Kingdom

BecA-ILRI Hub: The BecA-ILRI Hub is located on the campus of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya. The BecA-ILRI Hub is a modern biosciences research and training facility that supports eastern and central African countries to address agriculture-related problems of the highest priority for alleviating poverty and promoting development.

BBSRC: BBSRC is one of 7 Research Councils that work together as Research Councils UK (RCUK). Its mission is to promote and support, by any means, high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training relating to the understanding and exploitation of biological systems.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.