The USDA Ag Discovery program engages students in a special two-week in person experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (might change due to university Covid-19 pandemic guidelines) that focuses on biosecurity. It is sponsored by the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, which is the agency in charged with safeguarding the U.S. food supply. During the two weeks, students will participate in a series of in person activities involving government veterinarians, plant and animal biologists, biotechnologists, and wildlife science professionals. These students will demonstrate a basic understanding of how the federal government works to protect plants and animals.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a USDA agency with a mission to protect and promote U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. APHIS is on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week working to defend America's animal and plant resources from agricultural pests and diseases. 

More information on USDA AgDiscovery Summer 2022 Program.

Applications for the 2022 AgDiscovery Program are OPEN and must be submitted online.  The deadline to submit an application is March 31, 2022 at midnight Eastern Time Zone.

FREE PROGRAM! APPLY EARLY! 

You will be notified by the week of May 2, 2022 if you have been selected to participate.  Non-selected applicants will receive a letter in the mail at the end of May. 

How do I apply?

For more information contact: Diana Rodriguez at drodrgz1@illinois.edu or (773) 540-1990.

SPONSORS

United States Department of Agriculture