On 25 March 2009 the Monsanto Company announced a USD 10 million grant to establish the Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program, which will help identify and support young scientists interested in improving research and production in rice and wheat through plant breeding techniques.
The program honors the accomplishments of Dr. Henry Beachell and Dr. Norman Borlaug, who pioneered plant breeding and research in rice and wheat, respectively. It will be administered by Texas AgriLife Research, an agency of the Texas A&M University System, for the next five years.
“This is a welcome investment by the private sector, in an era of increasing food insecurity and decreasing numbers of graduate students in plant breeding,” said CIMMYT DG Tom Lumpkin. “We hope others will follow suit with additional funding and look forward to hosting scholars funded by the program at our center.” Students interested in applying to the program can find more details at www.monsanto.com/mbbischolars. Applications will be accepted until May 31 2009.
Capacity development 