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July-August 2021

PassportDelay for New or Renewal Passports Significant

Due to a wide range of circumstances, the average wait time for getting a new passport or renewing an expiring passport is very long.

According to the Department of State, the agency that issues passports, the standard wait time for a new passport today is 18 weeks. Anyone in need of these services hoping to travel yet this fall or next spring should be taking action now and should absolutely select the expedited option if you can (standard wait time for ‘expedited’ is 12 weeks).

Routine:  Save $60. Door-to-door service in 18 weeks (includes up to 12 weeks processing and 6 weeks mailing on front and back end)

Expedited: Costs an extra $60. Door-to-door service in 12 weeks (includes up to 6 weeks processing and 6 weeks mailing on front and back end)

More information can be found here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html. Students interested in participating in a Spring 2021 or Summer 2022 study abroad program are encouraged to apply for a passport now. 

Inside Iowa State - If you plan to need a passport, apply now(7/01/2021)


CALS Study Abroad Update

Soils and Crops of Costa RicaEnding a yearlong prohibition, faculty and staff can resume university-sponsored international travel with some added precautions. There will be a few select travel courses offered during the Fall 2021 semester, with plans for additional opportunities for study abroad in future terms. The safety of our students is a top priority, so we will continue to monitor travel opportunities and adjust our plans for future programs according to the global situation.

Additional Updates:

  1. The CALS Study Abroad office is now accepting applications for the Soils, Crops and Water of Costa Rica, Fall 2021 travel course. Interested students can learn more or applyApplication deadline is August 1, 2021. 
  2. Jessica Boertje, CALS Study Abroad Advisor, will be presenting study abroad opportunities to freshman 110 and transfer classes this fall. Reach out to Jessica at jboertje@iastate.edu, if you would like to request a class or group presentation.

Visiting Scholar Policy Departmental Support/ Resources

Since the implementation of the new visiting scholar policy (May 10, 2021), we have been updating our website with resources for faculty and staff to utilize as they work to complete international visiting scholar requests. The new policy outlines responsibilities for the ‘individual host’ which is intended to be the faculty hosting the visitor and responsibilities for the ‘administrative host’ which is intended to be the department chair of that faculty host. The new policy requires registration of each visitor in a new system managed by the Office of Risk Management and once approved in that system, then registration of the visitor in the existing CyStart system managed by ISSO where the needed visa documents can be generated.

Support provided by Global Programs Department:

  • Communication
    • We are staying up-to-date on the new procedures and have some experience working with the new systems and are updating our visitor’s website accordingly https://www.global.ag.iastate.edu/visitors.
    • Our website summary covers the key points of the new process and we have even created a flow chart with step-by-step instructions for the ‘individual host’ https://www.global.ag.iastate.edu/visiting-scholar.
    • We can be available to address any members of your department about the new policy and the support we can offer.
  • We are listed as administrative support staff by the college and can be available to help hosts and other support staff in your department. We can help your faculty (or support staff) shepherd the request through both systems or can simply be available to answer questions or provide guidance on the process. Please contact Nicole Hurlburt with any questions or requests for support at nicolerh@iastate.edu

Dr. Curt Youngs visits Uganda

Curt Youngs, ME Ensminger Endowed Chair of International Animal Agriculture and professor of animal science, traveled to the east African country of Uganda in June 2021 in his role as associate director of livestock and animal health programs for the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods based in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. While in Uganda, Youngs delivered donated supplies for the ISU-UP livestock program, made visits to 15 smallholder farmers, conducted training on the use of A-mode ultrasound for pregnancy testing and backfat measurements in pigs, toured the Kasolwe stock farm, met with representatives from the URUS and GENEX bovine artificial insemination companies, met with officials from the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (a division of the Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries), and met with Makerere University animal science associate professor Donald Kugonza .

BABIRYE_Rehema_with_KATANGULA_Peter_Curt_Youngs
Dr. Youngs visits with smallholder farmers
Conducting training on backfat measurements in pigs
Conducting training on backfat measurements in pigs

 



Fellowship Funding Opportunities

  • Cochran Fellowship Program: The Cochran Fellowship Program is requesting the design and delivery of training activities for Cochran Fellowship Fellows. Training objectives must support the agricultural extension goals of the Cochran Fellowship Program to assist eligible countries to develop agricultural systems necessary to meet the food and fiber needs of their domestic populations and/or strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible countries and agricultural interests in the United States by providing fellowships to individuals from eligible countries who specialize in agriculture for study in the United States.

    The FY 2021 Cochran Fellowship Program opportunities are now advertised. When applying, please upload the required documents into EZFed Grants as well as send an email to the point of contact in the NOFO.  The due date for proposals is July 2, 2021.

  • Jefferson Science Fellows (JSF) Program: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2022 Jefferson Science Fellows (JSF) program. Established by the Secretary of State in 2003, this fellowship program serves as an innovative model for engaging the American academic science, technology, engineering, and medical communities in U.S. foreign policy and international development through on-site work at the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). 

    The JSF program is open to tenured, or similarly ranked, faculty from U.S. institutions of higher learning who are U.S. citizens. Online applications will be accepted from August 2, 2021 through October 15, 2021 at 5 PM ET. To learn more about the JSF program and to apply, visit www.nas.edu/jsf.


New Graduate & Postdoctoral Student Research Award Opportunity

The Gordon D. Brown International Graduate Research Award is now available for eligible graduate or postdoctoral students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who intend to study abroad for research purposes, as determined by the administering authority.

This award is made possible through an endowment generously established by Kathleen M. Brown in honor of her husband, Gordon D. Brown. All questions about this scholarship should be directed to Shelley Taylor at sztaylor@iastate.edu.


Learning Across America Call for Proposals

The Dean’s Office of Academic Innovation requests Learning Across America proposals to support faculty and faculty/staff-led groups of undergraduate students traveling to domestic locations to experience, learn and earn credit. Proposals can include a stand-alone travel course or a for-credit travel option added to an existing course. The due date for proposals is August 19, 2021. Click here to learn more. 


Curt Youngs Kosovo visitDr. Youngs visits Kosovo

Curt Youngs, ME Ensminger Endowed Chair of International Animal Agriculture and professor of animal science, traveled to the southeastern European country of Kosovo in May 2021. The primary purpose of his trip was to begin planning for the June 2022 Ensminger School to be co-hosted by the University of Prishtina. While in Kosovo, Youngs also gave a guest lecture to University of Prishtina veterinary students, met with University of Prishtina Rector Naser Sahiti and Vice-Rector Kurtesh Sherifi, Minister of Agriculture Faton Peci, Deputy Minister of Education Dukagjin Pupovci, Kosovo Association of Milk Producers President Milazim Berisha and Executive Director Ardian Purrini, Director of the Food and Veterinary Laboratory Kujtim Uka, executive director of the Kosova Education Center Petrit Tahiri, and University of Business and Technology (UBT) President Edmond Hajrizi.

Pictured from left to right: Flutur Mustafa (advisor to the Kosovo Minister of Agriculture), Faton Peci (Kosovo Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development), Youngs, and Ardian Purrini (Kosovo Association of Milk Producers Executive Director).