GCFSI Internship Program
Guidelines and Requirements
The purpose of Translational Scholars Corp (TSC) is to assist in trans-disciplinary
communication between researchers across all GCFSI research areas to develop translational
information regarding global food systems and production in the target countries.
A core element of the GCFSI’s mission is to engage students across campuses and across
departments. As part of this effort we will be making development Internships available for
students in the summer of 2014. These internships are meant to expose students to development
work globally and to stimulate their thinking on solving challenges facing the global food systems.
GCFSI sponsored internees are expected to work in developing countries on projects related to
food systems along the entire value chain ranging from production, to processing, to packaging,
to transportation. Students will also be placed on projects related to workforce training, gender,
and use of ICTs as they relate to the food systems. For these placements, GCFSI is partnering
with local organizations (e.g. universities, industries, and NGOs) in Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia,
India, Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, India, and Cambodia with the possibility of placement in other
countries as opportunities arise.
GCFSI will offer up to five summer internship positions for undergraduate and graduate students
(enrolled at accredited universities worldwide). Internees will be expected to work with assigned
organization for 4-6 weeks. The GCFSI will provide funds of up to $6,000 for each
internship. The GCFSI will cover the cost of airfare in addition to paying the $6000
stipend.
Internships are open to all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accredited
universities worldwide. MSU and HESN students are encouraged to apply. Applications are
due by March 25. Funding decision will be made by April 15.
For more information on eligibility, application procedure, and application form please visit:
http://gcfsi.isp.msu.edu/tsc.htm
Eligibility:
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Internships are open to all under-graduate and graduate students enrolled in accredited
colleges and universities worldwide.
Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, (students with lower GPAs may be eligible on a
case-by-case basis)
Fill out the online PDF application.
Provide two recommendation letters by at least one faculty member. The second
recommendation letter can be provided by a current employer or another faculty member. The
recommendation letter should state why the faculty member considers you appropriate for one
of the internship positions.
Provide an official transcript of your grades
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Provide a resume
Have a passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of intended stay in a different
country (this is for students who wish to apply for internship in another country which
requires them to apply for a visa).
Appear for a face to face or telephone/ Skype interview (for those outside of Lansing) with
our interview panel.
Students should complete the online PDF application and send it to Ayesha Razzaque
(razzaqu3@msu.edu). All other application materials should also be sent to the same email
address.
Deliverables:
1. Write a series of blog postings (at least once a week) for the GCFSI TSC blog during
their experience, and
2. Tweet 3-4 times a week during your tour using tags suggested by the GCFSI TSC once
selections are made.
3. A project specific deliverable will be negotiated once selection and matching is made. It
can range from a report, to a toolkit, to a digital story, to a research paper and so forth.
If you would like more information please contact Ayesha Razzaque at razzaqu3@msu.edu.
If you are interested, please fill out the attached application.
These summer positions are funded by the United States Agency for International Development
through a Grant with Michigan State University’s Global Center for Food Systems Innovation.
Internship Application Form – 2014
First Name
Middle Name
Date of Birth
Degree level:
Gender
☐ Male ☐
☐ Graduate
☐
Last Name
Citizenship
Female
Under-Graduate
Name of Institution:
Cumulative GPA:
Country of interest:
Note: Please rank order your top three choices. Please know that the listed countries may change
due to project availability or other unforeseen reasons:
Malawi
Cambodia
Tanzania
Rwanda
Zambia
India
Vietnam
Nepal
Thailand
Turkey
Please describe in 500 words why you want to avail this opportunity, your areas of
academic and research interests, as well as how do you think this opportunity will help you
achieve your personal and professional goals. (Provide text box for this question).