An agreement between IICA and CONACYT in Mexico has been signed for the award of 100 scholarships annually for masters and doctoral studies in that country.

San Jose, Costa Rica, February 2, 2012 (IICA). Professionals within the agriculture sector of the Americas wishing to pursue a Masters, PhD or specialized studies in Mexico can now apply for one of the 100 scholarships offered by CONACYT and IICA.

The alliance between the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture and the National Council for Science and Technology of Mexico is aimed at strengthening technical capabilities within the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in areas that are of high priority for agriculture.

In this regard, 100 scholarships will be offered to well-qualified professionals who work in sustainable agriculture and related areas and who provide service to the governments and institutions within the agricultural sector of the member countries of IICA.

Postgraduate and specialist programs are being offered in areas such as: technical innovation, agribusiness and commercialization, agricultural health and food safety, agriculture, territories and rural well-being, management of natural resources and climate change, and finally, agriculture and food security.

Applicants must be competent in Spanish, must be attached to an organization working in the area of agriculture and must commit to maintaining a working relationship with the proposing institution by presenting a letter of consent from the institution, among other requirements.

The IICA Offices in the countries will be responsable for receiving applications, which may be submitted online or in person.

Complete information on the call for applications, including requirements, postgraduate programs available, contact details for the country offices as well as application forms, can be obtained from the website http://iica.int/Eng/becasconacytiica/Pages/default.aspx