The Scientific Exchange Program (SEP) leverages the latest developments in cross-cutting agricultural priorities, research, and technologies to educate a new generation of agricultural scientist to promote trade, trade policy, trade capacity building, and food security.

The collaborative nature

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of the SEP training and research programs improves agricultural productivity, systems, and processes in partnering emerging market economies through the transfer of new science and agricultural technologies.

USDA may also use the program as a market development tool to assist in opening markets and decreasing or eliminating trade barriers in low to middle income countries, which ultimately increases and creates new trade opportunities for U. S. agricultural exports.

SEP focuses on a cohort of Fellows who will spend up to 12 weeks at the U. S. academic institution and work directly with U. S. scientists in their fields.

Each Fellow must hold a minimum of a Master’s-level degree, be in the early or middle stage of their career, and represent a university, government agency, or research entity in their home country.

Mentors coordinate the training program in the United States.

Upon the Fellow's return home, the mentor travels to the Fellows country to follow-up.

SEP is administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Programs, Fellowship Programs.