VIPP engages with prestigious federal government programs for international exchange, training, and capacity building. To implement these programs, we partner with MSU departments on grant proposal development and project coordination. VIPP supports MSU colleges and departments in the design, delivery, and administration of federal government programs, such as the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Cochran Fellowship Program, Foreign Agricultural Service Faculty Exchange, and the Borlaug Fellowship Program. MSU departments, colleges, and research centers that are in the process of bringing international visitors to campus or working on grant proposals for training, capacity building or logistic support can turn to us for our expertise.

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Programs 

USDA Borlaug Fellowship Program

The Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program promotes food security and economic growth by providing training and collaborative research opportunities to fellows from developing and middle-income countries. VIPP proudly hosts multiple Borlaug scholars in collaboration with MSU faculty.

USDA Cochran Fellowship Program

The Cochran Fellowship Program provides short-term training opportunities to agricultural professionals from middle-income countries, emerging markets, and emerging democracies. VIPP facilitates groups of fellows from all over the world as they connect with specialists at MSU and across Michigan. the primary goals of the Cochran program are to aid developing agricultural systems in the fellows' home countries and to strengthen and enhance agricultural trade linkages.

Foreign Agricultural Service Faculty Exchange Program

In fall of 2016 VIPP partnered with Dr. John B. Kaneene from MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Dr. Kaneene secured funding from the USDA's Faculty Exchange Program to bring to MSU six junior faculty from African countries - Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. VIPP provided settlement services including housing, arrival and departure, MSU ID, and site visits.

U.S. Department of State (DoS) Programs

International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

The International Visitor Leadership Program is the U.S. Department of State's premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country first-hand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts.

Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai celebrates world cultures, friendship and human excellence, and is the first World's Fair to take place in the Middle East. The U.S. Department of State oversees the development of the USA Pavilion for the expo, featuring the themes of Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability. VIPP serves as the Michigan Council for Citizen Diplomacy which collaborates with Global Ties U.S. to coordinate participation in the expo.

Pakistan Exchange Program for Female Scholars

In collaboration with the United States Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan, VIPP hosts the Pakistan Exchange Program for female ulemas from Punjab about best practices in inter-faith harmony for community and peace building. The goal of the program is to forge deep understanding of the role of faith centers in U.S. society and the role of participants as leaders in religious institutions and communities.

Pakistan Women Leadership in Higher Education

In collaboration with MSU College of Education and Pakistan National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), VIPP is offering a program to address the equity gap in women’s higher education leadership in Pakistan. The two-year program focuses on equipping and empowering women at different stages of faculty and leadership development, a process that occurs at the individual, institutional and system levels.

Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement

In collaboration with with Meridian International Center and sponsored by the Department of State, Education Cultural Affairs (ECA), the Michigan State University Civic Engagement Institute provides undergraduate student leaders from Europe with a deeper understanding of civic engagement in the United States. The five week intensive program examines how citizens have shaped U.S. history, community organizing, and social movements.