The USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship is a prestigious opportunity for college and graduate students to work alongside top USDA scientists and policymakers on impactful research and policy initiatives. This full-time, paid fellowship spans eight weeks from June to August 2025, with fellows conducting field and lab research, analyzing agriculture and economic policy, and assisting with USDA programs in food, nutrition, and rural development. Fellows are hired as federal employees, receiving compensation on the federal General Schedule, although they are responsible for relocation and housing costs.
Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens who have participated in a World Food Prize Youth Program and are currently full-time college students (undergraduate or graduate) or high school seniors entering college in Fall 2025. A core component of the fellowship involves participating in the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute and the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in October 2025.
Applicants must submit several key materials: a one-page cover letter detailing relevant skills and motivations for applying, a one-page resume with pertinent experience and achievements, and a recent academic transcript (unofficial versions are accepted). All application materials must be submitted together through the online application form by the December 1, 2025, deadline. A downloadable application form is available for reference during preparation, though the final submission must be online.
