USAID:Science for Impact Newsletter

 

Science for Impact Newsletter Science for Development Fellowship Now Accepting Applications USAID’s Science for Development Fellowship is now accepting applications for the inaugural cohort of Fellows! During their tenure at USAID, Fellows will have the unique opportunity to train as practitioners in international development and directly contribute to development objectives in areas like global health, food security, humanitarian assistance, economic growth, and more. At the same time, USAID will benefit from the cutting-edge science and research expertise that Fellows will bring to the Agency. Applications are open through February 29, 2024. Review eligibility and application details. In the News Dairy farmers gathered for one of the training sessions. Photo Credit: LASER PULSE  New LASER Blog: Skills Enhancement for Dairy Value Chain Actors to Increase the Quality and Safety of Milk in Rwanda In November 2023, a LASER (Long-term Assistance and SErvices for Research) PULSE (Partners for University-Led Solutions Engine) project team organized a three-day training session for milk value chain actors (e.g., dairy farmers, milk transporters, and milk collection center’s staff) on best practices for milk handling and quality testing. The research project team leading “Impact of Traditional Practice on the Quality and Safety of Post-Production Handling in the Milk Value-Chain in Rwanda” organized and led these sessions to help trainees enhance the quality and safety of milk for consumers. The sessions also included a workshop to assess Rwanda's national need for a milk quality and safety system. Read the blog and learn more about the milk value chain in Rwanda. USAID and the Global Shea Alliance partner to connect West African village women to the global marketplace. Photo: Douglas Gritzmacher/USAID New Industry Report: Supply Chain Relationship Quality Outlook of Women-Owned Agribusinesses in Ghana The Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain - Africa (CARISCA) has published a new industry report on women-owned businesses in developing countries. The study explores insights on the supply chain relationship quality of women-owned businesses in agricultural supply chains in Ghana. The survey used varied sets of conceptual frames and indicators to address deficiencies in the literature on women-owned businesses by capturing the perspective of 300 women entrepreneurs in agricultural supply chains in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Download and read the report.  Events Distinguished Lecture Series – Research-based Innovation in Africa On Thursday, February 15th at 10 am MST and 12 pm EST,  the Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain - Africa (CARISCA) will continue its Distinguished Lecture Series with Dr. Marcia Mkansi, Head of Research, Post-graduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialization at  the University of South Africa’s College of Economics and Management Sciences. Dr. Mkansi will speak to how scholars can transform Africa by translating their research into business innovations — including how  optimizing research-based intellectual property can address Africa’s sustainable development challenges. Learn more and register for the lecture. Stories from the Field ITR Hub’s Research Division Director Emmanuella Delva gives opening remarks. Photo Credit: Myesha Green ITR Hub’s Research Division Director Emmanuella Delva and Program Analyst Myesha Green, participated in a State Department-led delegation, “Partnerships of the Future,” in Rabat, Morocco and Algiers, Algeria to strengthen partnerships between U.S. researchers and higher education institutions and their counterparts in Morocco and Algeria. The U.S. delegation included the vice presidents of research from multiple U.S. institutions and the State Department’s Office of the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary, who met with representatives from Moroccan and Algerian higher education institutions, as well as high-level representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation in Morocco and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Algeria. International University of Rabat PhD student Mouad Rahmouni demonstrating a weather sensor purchased through PEER. Photo: Andrew Gerard Andrew Gerard, Deputy Director for Research Policy, Partnerships, and Approaches in the Research Division, also traveled to Morocco in January to speak about USAID partnership opportunities at the USAID-co-sponsored U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium and at the Mohammadia School of Engineering. In addition, Dr. Gerard met with Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) grantees, such as Dr. Mounir Ghogho at the International University of Rabat whose team uses weather data to optimize solar power generation. usaid.gov/research