Workshop to Explore Collaborations for Agricultural Development

The Science and Technology program for Agricultural Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) aims to explore ways in which the advanced sciences can be put to best use for the benefit of smallholder farming families in developing countries. In collaboration with the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub, located at the International Livestock Research Institute campus in Nairobi, Kenya, this workshop aims to create an opportunity for scientists from the U.S. to get acquainted with scientists of similar interests in sub-Saharan Africa. The 5-day workshop will be held in Kenya from June 18-23, 2009.

In addition to learning about agriculture in Kenya, scientists will be given the opportunity to describe their own areas of expertise and to explore with other workshop participants possible ways in which collaborations might contribute to the advancement of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. The workshop is timed to coincide with the opening of a new program called BREAD (Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development) that is jointly funded by BMGF and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and which could provide one type of mechanism by which such collaborations might find support (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503403&org=BIO).

For those interested to participate, email Jeanne Bridgman (Jeanne.Bridgman@gatesfoundation.org) for U.S.-based scientists, or Rachel Njunge (r.njunge@cgiar.org) for those based in Africa. Some travel support will be available. Applications are due by April 17, 2009 and selected applicants will be contacted by the 28th.