International Agricultural Internship Program

Open to graduate students interested in international agriculture!

Interested in a career in international agricultural trade? Read on.

The International Agricultural Internship Program (IAIP) gives graduate students a chance to gain first-hand experience working at one of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) overseas post in U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world.

Interns will get the opportunity to work in a FAS Office of Agricultural Affairs or Agricultural Trade Office located in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Interns will carry out tasks in support of the Agricultural Counselor, Agricultural Attaché, and/or Agricultural Trade Officer in connection with USDA’s agricultural trade policy, analysis, and market development programs.

About FAS

  • Mission: Links U.S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security
  • Location: Washington, D.C. + nearly 100 global offices covering 180 countries
  • Staff: 850+ people stationed in Washington, D.C. and overseas offices, including 300+ locally employed staff overseas
  • In Short: Facilitating trade and international cooperation, which are critical to the vitality of the U.S. agricultural sector.
  • How: FAS staff identify problems, provide practical solutions, and work to advance opportunities for U.S. agriculture and support U.S. foreign policy around the globe.

About the FAS Foreign Service

  • Foreign Agricultural Service is one of six Foreign Affairs Agencies in the U.S. government
  • Location: U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
  • Staff: A team of Foreign Service officers who are front‐line professionals representing the Department of Agriculture at nearly 100 U.S. embassies and other sites across the globe.
  • In Short: Serving as the eyes, ears, and voice for U.S. agriculture on the ground worldwide.
  • How: Foreign Service Officers represent the interests and needs of American agriculture at U.S. diplomatic missions abroad.

As an International Agricultural Intern

Interns in the IAIP have varied duties based on the mission of the specific FAS overseas office. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Compiles, edits, formats, and transmits information required for the execution of USDA programs
  • Assists in researching and drafting agricultural reports
  • Solicits and compiles in-country agricultural trade intelligence
  • Monitors trade policy developments for food and agricultural products
  • Represents U.S. agriculture and promotes the interest of the U.S. food and agriculture product exports overseas
  • Travels, as necessary, to complete assigned tasks

Eligibility

The IAIP is open to students who:

  • Are enrolled full-time or part-time in a graduate program or are accepted to graduate programs for the spring or fall of 2023, majoring in an agricultural or related field. Acceptable fields of study include agricultural economics, agricultural business, agricultural journalism, international economics, and international finance, business, or marketing.
  • Are at least 18 years of age.
  • Demonstrate a minimum grade point average of 3.3 at the graduate level (or at the undergraduate level if accepted to graduate school).
  • Have some experience (paid or volunteer) in agriculture; international affairs; international trade, business or marketing; agricultural development; and/or biotechnology
  • Are a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation before June 2023.

To Apply

Check back for application details.

Resources

Questions?

Please direct any questions to Holly Enowski, IAIP Program Administrator, henowski@mail.missouri.edu.