Plant Science for Global Food Security (PSGFS)

Plant Science for Global Food Security is a program funded by the National Science Foundation that sends eight undergraduate students for six weeks during summer to the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines to participate in hands-on research on rice science. This program is led by Purdue University and recruits students from Purdue as well as five partner institutions: North Carolina A & T University, Florida A &M University, University of Illinois, Tuskegee University, and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

The six-week program is made up of two components: three weeks of hands-on research, whereby students will work with IRRI scientists and their teams to evaluate diverse rice genetic materials; and three weeks of a training course called “Rice: Research to Production” (RR2P) in which PSGFS students will interact with other RR2P participants from around the world to learn about the basics of rice research and production and gain an appreciation for the challenges and rewards of international collaboration. RR2P includes socio-cultural trips (e.g., to the Banaue Rice Terraces) and activities in the field, greenhouses, and lab.

With funding from NSF, our program covers all major costs for successful applicants. For details, click on More Information below.

We recruit applicants from Purdue University along with our five partner universities (North Carolina A & T University, Florida A &M University, University of Illinois, Tuskegee University, and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa). Applicants must be citizens, nationals or permanent residents of the U.S. and enrolled at university during the academic year after participating in PSGFS. While we are primarily targeting current sophomores and juniors (i.e. rising juniors and seniors), outstanding current freshmen will be considered. Successful applicants will have an interest in global engagement and plant science research. Under-represented minorities are especially encouraged to apply.