University of Delaware Borel Global Fellows Program 2027

The Borel Global Fellows Program (BGFP) is unique in that it blends the educational experience at the University of Delaware with an applied research experience in the student’s home country.

Students spend 12 to 18 months at the University of Delaware, completing coursework, developing research skills, and laying the foundation for their research project in partnership with their UD faculty sponsor and their in-country faculty mentor. The next six to 12 months are spent in the student’s home country, completing the majority of their research project and preparing their thesis defense.

One to two Borel Global Fellows are supported each year.

• Table of Content
• About University of Delaware
• Borel Global Fellows Program Master's Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Borel Global Fellows Program Master's Scholarship
• Requirements for Borel Global Fellows Program Master's Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Borel Global Fellows Program Master's Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Borel Global Fellows Program Master's Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Borel Global Fellows Program Master's Scholarship

Each Borel Global Fellow receives generous financial support, including: 

• A full waiver of tuition at the University of Delaware; 
• Coverage of all UD student fees;
• Graduate research assistant funding while in Delaware, which includes a stipend, access to health care, and entry into campus facilities such as wellness and recreation facilities;
• One-time roundtrip airfare (economy class) to/from the US;
• Computer allowance of up to $1,000 (purchased in Delaware);
• Waiver of the UD application, GRE exam, and TOEFL exam fees;
• Reimbursement of SEVIS and visa fees (Applicants are required to pay these costs upfront);
• Financial support of up to $5,000 for the “in residence” portion of the fellowship in Africa; and
• A $1,000 honorarium for the student’s Africa-based advisor to oversee the in-country research portion of the fellowship.

Requirements for Borel Global Fellows Program Master's Scholarship Qualification

• Citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country.  (Please keep in mind the University of Delaware must follow the U.S. Department of State restrictions and regulations on visa processing and issuance.)
• B.S. degree (or equivalent) in an area of plant and soil sciences, agriculture and resource economics, wildlife ecology and entomology, or animal and food sciences 
• Holding of an advanced degree does not preclude consideration of the Borel Fellows Program
• Three to five years of post-graduation work experience in the agricultural or natural resource sectors
• A sincere and demonstrated passion to pursue a master’s degree and return to the home country to contribute to agricultural development, increased food security, natural resource conservation and/or agribusiness development

Interview date, Process and Venue for Borel Global Fellows Program Master's Scholarship

• Acceptance to the Borel Global Fellows Program, which ensures placement with a UD/CANR faculty member
• Admission to a graduate program in the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Documented support of an African research institute and an African faculty mentor, as described below
• Acceptable scores on the GRE exam, if required by the program of study
• Acceptable scores on the TOEFL exam for students coming from non-English speaking countries
• Ability to obtain a student visa (F-1) and travel to the U.S. from the home country
• Access to reliable internet in the home country

Application Timeline

The 2027 application period is now open and will close on November 1, 2026.  

• Sept. 1: Application process opens.
• Nov. 1: Application process closes.
• Oct. 1 to Dec 1: Rolling internal review of BGFP applicants.
• Dec. 15: Finalists are notified and initiate UD application process.

Check also:
Swedish Institute Scholarships 2027
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Students interested in being considered for the BGFP should apply to the Borel Program before applying to the University of Delaware. The BGFP application outcome may influence one’s interest in pursuing graduate studies at UD. Please follow the steps below to apply to the Borel Global Fellows Program.

Applicants should submit the following to be evaluated for the Borel Global Fellows Program: 

1. Resume or curriculum vitae 

2. Undergraduate transcript(s) 

3. Personal statement describing post-undergraduate agricultural work experience and how the fellowship will aid in advancing their career goals

4. Names and contact information for three references who can judge the applicant’s scholastic capability and potential for research at the graduate level; references will be contacted for further information once the application is reviewed by UD.

5. Two letters of commitment are required:

   One from an African research institute or university pledging to support the Fellow for the African portion of their fellowship. This support will allow the Fellow to complete the thesis project following return to Africa and may include access to research facilities, office space, internet and libraries. In-kind financial support of the Fellow (typically tuition, fees and research costs) during the African portion of the project must be addressed either in this letter or the letter from the African research director or faculty member.

   One from an African research director or faculty member who agrees to partner with the UD faculty member on advising the Fellow’s research project, both while the student is at UD and following return to Africa. In-kind financial support of the Fellow (typically tuition, fees and research costs) during the African portion of the project must be addressed either in this letter or the letter from the African research institute.

All materials should be submitted together in one email to [email protected] by the deadline above. 

For more information, kindly visit  University of Delaware scholarship webpage.