Internationalization of Land-Grant Universities in the US: The results of an online survey

The USDA International Science and Education (ISE) grants program, formally initiated in 2005, seeks to improve the ability of higher education institutions in the U.S. to conduct international collaborative research, extension, and teaching programs. By 2008, the ISE Program has provided support for 55 projects to academic institutions throughout the U.S. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of online surveys of the award grantees, as well as Directors of International Agriculture programs, documenting their perceptions of the short- and long-term benefits of ISEfunded projects, and offering insights into the state of internationalization at U.S. Land-Grant universities (those with Colleges of Agriculture). Besides providing leaders of internationalization efforts with concrete evidence of effective programs and strategies, the results of the surveys suggest profitable uses of U.S. Federal funds for strengthening internationalization at higher education institutions. Key findings identified travel support that strengthens and promotes research collaborations, faculty exchanges, and study tours for faculty and students as the most successful use of ISE funding. In addition, seed funds for collaborative research projects and support for globalizing course and curriculum development, including distance education opportunities, were also strongly supported. At the same time, funding levels for these grants, as well as limits on grants per institution, are seen as restricting the reach of the ISE Program. The authors also noted a lack of recognition of the importance to incorporate information technology and management applications as integral parts of the ISE projects to ensure continued networking opportunities and access to project results by all collaborators, no matter their geographic location.