March 15, 2022

Future of Food Fellowship Program application deadline extended

U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast facts

Future of Food Fellowship Program opens doors to undergrads outside of food science
10-week paid summer program teaches research, leadership and communication
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant supports five-year program

(250 words)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The deadline for application to the Future of Food: Opportunities and Careers for Undergraduate Students (F²OCUS) Fellowship Program has been extended to March 28.

FOOD FELLOWSHIP — Jennifer Acuff, assistant professor of food microbiology and safety in the department of food science, here with graduate student Erika Kadas, investigates strategies to improve fresh and processed food safety and protect food products from microbial contamination. Acuff will be one of mentors in the forthcoming F²OCUS Fellowship Program for undergraduates. (UA System Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller)

The previous deadline was March 11. The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station program is a new 10-week, summer research and extension opportunity coming to Fayetteville May 30-Aug. 5. Applicants chosen for the program will be notified by April 8. Room and board are provided to F²OCUS fellows, along with a $4,800 stipend and travel support.

Food science researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, secured a $730,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to conduct the Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates program for the next five years, focusing on minority recruitment.

“As this is a new program, the deadline was extended in order to allow more qualified students to apply,” said Kristen Gibson, F²OCUS Fellowship Program director and associate professor in the food science department.

The program aims to increase understanding of food supply safety, quality, and security for undergraduates in complementary degree programs, including biology, chemistry, consumer sciences and agricultural studies.

To learn more about the program and apply, visit https://future-food-reeu.uada.edu.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch.

To learn about Extension Programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit https://uaex.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension.

To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Media Contact: John Lovett
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 763-5929
jlovett@uada.edu