VACS Capacity

The VACS Capacity activity is looking to receive expressions of interest in participation in various capacity-building opportunities.

Context

In February 2023, the US State Department launched the VACS Movement, in partnership with the African Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. The VACS movement endeavors to foster resilient agrifood systems across Africa by a) boosting the productivity of opportunity crops; b) improving nutrition through developing and deploying diverse, climate-resilient cropping systems; c) building healthy soils; and (d) strengthening the capacities of researchers in Africa. Within this framework, USAID is partnering with CIMMYT to implement a VACS Capacity activity, which aims to capacitate African breeding programs and research professionals, in partnership with both private and public sectors. Expanding upon Feed the Future’s existing investments, this activity aims to build a cohort of VACS Fellows to deliver on the VACS vision. The cohort will be mentored by the CGIAR, advanced research institutes and universities, and other partners around the globe.

A “hub and spoke model” is being set up to build a cohort of VACS Fellows. This will capacitate specific university programs based in Africa. Sixty VACS Fellows (20 students in post-graduate programs and 40 professional on-the-job trainees/interns/sabbaticals) will be trained. The VACS Fellows will be matched with mentors and provided coaching and training on research leadership, communication, career building, and soft skills, which are expected to cascade to more professionals in their institutions and counties. In addition to the Fellows, hundreds of professionals will have the opportunity to participate in training in advanced technical skills through intensive short courses using lab and hybrid lab-virtual formats. Please note the following about the VACS Capacity program scope.

Expression of Interest Scope

There are three areas where we are looking for partners:

1. Hubs for training: A VACS Capacity Hub is an African or global institution that is prepared to enable a cohort of scientists in Africa to deliver against the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil (VACS). To deliver on capacitating VACS Fellows cohorts, VACS Capacity Hubs will draw on demonstrated experience in providing mentorship, training, and capacity-building opportunities. This includes building and delivering curricula on plant breeding and soft-skills-related topics; hands-on and virtual training in laboratory and research-based techniques and plant breeding program development; facilitating placement of graduate scholars in appropriate host institutions to conduct research towards their degree; facilitating placement of professional trainees in appropriate internship opportunities (1-6 months); providing mentoring opportunities; and promoting mentorship.

Fellowships: Through targeted training fellowships, the VACS Capacity activity aims to address workforce and skill gaps in current crop improvement efforts for VACS opportunity crops—ultimately positioning African breeders to future-proof African farming systems through improved genetics and cropping systems. The VACS Capacity activity will provide two types of fellowships, targeted to either graduate students or professional breeders. Scholars and Professionals will be drawn from all sectors (public, private, research, and universities):

2. Scholars: VACS Capacity scholars will receive support to pursue graduate study towards a Masters or Doctoral degree, in a field relevant to VACS opportunity crop improvement. VACS Capacity Scholars must already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Scholars not already accepted or enrolled in a Higher Education institution will be matched to an institution recommended by the VACS Capacity activity Hub.
3. Professionals: VACS Capacity Professionals are practicing crop breeders who will be supported to gain new or upgrade skills through hands-on training to address VACS objectives, as part of career strengthening. VACS Capacity Professionals must already hold a graduate degree and have experience working in the field of opportunity crop improvement.