Des Moines, Iowa
October 31, 2007
DuPont today announced it will contribute $2.175 million to
support graduate student research and education in plant
breeding through university fellowships and a competitive
fellowship program.
“Our industry depends on a continuous source of outstanding
talent who can address growing global agricultural needs through
creative and innovative science,” said William S. Niebur, vice
president -- DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development.
“Based on current trends, we will not have enough talent to meet
the needs of this rapidly growing industry. We need to identify
and support students who have the interest, abilities and
passion necessary to become the next generation of plant
breeders.”
Data from the National Plant Breeding Study, which was funded by
the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, show a declining
trend in public-sector plant breeding in the United States
during the past two decades.
“Plant breeding is a critical core expertise for any nation that
intends to have a vibrant agriculture in the rapidly changing
future,” said Ann Marie Thro, national program leader for plant
breeding and genetics at CSREES. “Yet, the public sector is
where the plant breeders of the 21st century will be educated.
Public-private partnerships, such as the DuPont fellowships
program, are one of the recommendations of the National Study to
help recruit top young scientists into plant breeding.”
Beginning in January 2008, DuPont – through its
Pioneer Hi-Bred seed
business -- will provide up to $1.5 million in fellowships for
graduate students studying plant breeding at
Cornell University,
North Carolina State University,
the University of Illinois,
the University of Minnesota and
the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Each university will receive a $60,000
Pioneer Hi-Bred University Plant Breeding Fellowship, renewable
annually for five years, to support two graduate student
fellowships. Fellowship recipients will be selected by their
respective universities.
DuPont also will provide universities with $675,000 to support a
competitive fellowship program for students with a confirmed
interest in plant breeding research. The company will provide 10
fellowships through 2009. The program will kick off when the
first five fellowships are awarded in January 2008. Fellowships
will be awarded for periods of three to five years, depending on
the degree the student is pursuing. Each Pioneer Hi-Bred
Honorary Plant Breeding Fellowship is named in recognition of a
former Pioneer scientist who made lasting contributions to plant
breeding and agriculture.
“Our commitment goes beyond financial support,” Niebur said.
“Each fellowship recipient will be paired with a mentor from
Pioneer, and we will provide in-kind support for research
projects. Also, each student will be invited to present his or
her dissertation research at Pioneer and spend time at one of
our research centers.”
The $2.175 million contribution is in addition to ongoing
support currently offered by Pioneer. The Pioneer Research
Awards Program offers fellowships, international scholarships
and grants for scientific conferences. Pioneer also offers
several three-month and six-month research internships for
undergraduate students.
We need to engage talented young people in a discussion about
the opportunities available in plant breeding and introduce them
to this area of science as a life-long career,” Niebur said.
“This type of industry support extends and complements the
capabilities of universities to provide highly educated and
trained plant breeders for the future.
For additional information and fellowship application
guidelines, visit the Pioneer Research Awards Program website at
www.pioneer.com .
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation. |
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