APS Office of International Programs

11/10/2025

The 2025 OIP International Research Achievement Award is open for applications.
The deadline for application submission has been extended to December 26, 2025.
The award recognizes innovative research conducted outside the investigator's home country in areas such as:
• International survey network efforts
• Plant disease diagnostics
• Plant disease identification
• Plant–host interactions
• Plant pathogen characterization
• Unique plant disease management and control methods
Eligibility Criteria:
To apply, applicants must:
1) Be an APS member
2) Meet ONE of the following:
• Hold a doctoral degree with 5-10 years of professional plant pathology experience, OR
• Hold a master's degree with 10-15 years of professional plant pathology experience

Application instructions are located at:

OIP will award a Certificate of Achievement to honor an investigator for their contributions to international plant pathology research. The research must be conducted in a country other than the investigator's home country. In addition to the Certificate of Achievement, the recipient will also re...

03/04/2025

APS-Office of International Programs is excited to announce our new winner for the 2024 Certificate of Achievement in International Plant Pathology Research. Dr. Anna Testen is our 2024 winner and is an outstanding Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA-ARS Application Technology Research Unit in Wooster, Ohio.
Dr. Testen received her bachelor's degree in microbiology and environmental horticulture from the University of Minnesota, her master’s degree in plant pathology and international agriculture and development from The Pennsylvania State University, and her doctorate in plant pathology from The Ohio State University. Dr. Testen’s develops disease diagnostics and management approaches to improve specialty crop health, now focusing on controlled environment agriculture. Dr. Testen has cooperated with INIAP (Ecuador) and PROINPA Foundation (Bolivia) to improve diagnosis of quinoa downy mildew. In collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture researchers, Dr. Testen developed participatory methods to improve soil and plant health on low-resource smallholder tomato farms in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania. She collaborated with Hawassa University researchers to identify and describe tomato corky root rot in Africa for the first time. Dr. Testen has led plant health workshops in Ecuador, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Dr. Testen has been named a USAID U.S. Borlaug Fellow in Global Food Security, USDA-ARS Early Career Scientist of the Year and Fruit + Vegetable Grower Network 40 under 40 awardee in recognition of her research accomplishments.

10/25/2024

We are jumping back into international student spotlights 🎉 Meet this week's OIP International Student Spotlight, Ernesto Ticiano da Silva! Ernesto is a fourth year PhD student at Louisiana State University and is advised by Dr. Vinson Doyle. His research investigates the biology, population genetics, and infection strategies of the Cercospora spp. associated with Cercospora leaf blight in the southern United States. Ernesto is originally from Visconde do Rio Branco, Minas Gerais, Brazil where soybean, corn, sugarcane, and orange are major crops. Ernesto's long-term career goal is to be a plant pathologist specializing in pathogen biology and population genetics of fungi to promote research with a focus on sustainable agriculture! Extending beyond research, he is preparing himself to serve the broader scientific community, the agricultural industries, agricultural producers, and agricultural consumers.

09/09/2024

OIP International Research Achievement is Now Open for Applications!

OIP gives a Certificate of Achievement honoring an early career investigator for international plant pathology research activities. International research activities must be conducted in another country other than the home country of the investigator. Examples of research activities that qualify for recognition include innovative international survey network efforts, plant disease diagnostics, plant disease identification, plant-host interactions, and unique plant disease management and control methods. The APS-OIP Certificate of Achievement recognizes an early career investigator within 10-15 years after the completion of the master's degree or 5-10 years after the completion of the doctoral degree. Applicants do need to be APS members to qualify for the recognition. In addition to the Certificate of Achievement recognition, the investigator will receive a monetary fund of $500.00. Instructions for applications may be found at (https://www.apsnet.org/members/engagement/oip/Pages/InternationalResearch.aspx). Please email completed applications to Dr. Sue Cohen ([email protected]). Application acceptance will be open until December 6, 2024.

OIP gives a Certificate of Achievement honoring an early career investigator for international plant pathology research activities. International research activities must be conducted in another country other than the home country of the investigator. Examples of research activities th...

07/30/2024

The APS-OIP Silent Auction was a success! All items went home with a happy bidder. The Silent Auction is also a unique opportunity for APS members and/or meeting attendees to learn a little about what APS OIP does to promote greater worldwide interaction among scientists and practitioners of plant pathology. OIP seeks to provide continuity and coordination of APS international activities and promote collaboration among plant pathologists and scientists of all nationalities. For more information, go to www.apsnet.org/oip

07/29/2024

The APS OIP Silent Auction has begun! From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., you can bid on numerous items such as coffee, chocolates, arts and crafts, books, jewelry and many more items to choose from. The Silent Auction is located in the East Hall next to the Job Board. The proceeds fund the OIP Global Experience Program.

04/17/2024

APS OIP has given a total of 43 Two-Year Sponsored (Free) Global Memberships to APS for calendar years 2024 and 2025! More available!

An extra 20 sponsored memberships are available for early to mid-career scientists (preferably) who are not regular members of APS.

Deadline is now May 31, 2024, or until all Global Memberships have been awarded. https://www.apsnet.org/members/engagement/oip/Pages/GlobalMembership.aspx
The Global Membership Program (Two-year sponsored memberships) with the American Phytopathological Society (APS) are being offered to preferably support plant health professionals in countries considered as low-income and lower-income economies. https://www.apsnet.org/.../comm.../join/Pages/countries.aspx

The list of low-income and lower-income economies is based on the World Bank Atlas method. However, scientists from other developing economy countries not on the list are still eligible if there is a proven financial need by the applicant.
Additional funding for more memberships (up to 30 more) has been secured. Currently, scientists from several countries are benefiting from these sponsored memberships. Such countries include Argentina, Ecuador, India, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, and Uganda.

This program is run by the APS Office of International Programs ( www.apsnet.org/OIP ). If you or someone you know may be interested in receiving a sponsored membership to APS, go to our Global Membership page at https://www.apsnet.org/members/engagement/oip/Pages/GlobalMembership.aspx

02/28/2024

Alejandro K. Llanos is one of the awardees of OIP’s Two-Year Sponsored Memberships to APS for calendar years 2024 and 2025. Alejandro K. Llanos currently works in the Department of Plant Pathology at the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (UNALM) in Lima, Peru. His current research includes diagnosing and identifying fungal plant diseases and monitoring fungicide resistance to be integrated into pest management.
Alongside Dr. Apaza at UNALM, he is participating in international collaborations, such as elucidating the species involved in dieback in avocados and understanding blueberry powdery mildew as a globally emerging pathogen. Alejandro Llanos is originally from Peru, a country recognized for producing more than 4000 potato varieties and being a significant exporter of blueberries, avocados, grapes, citrus, etc. He received his bachelor's degree as an Agronomic Engineer from UNALM in Lima and completed his master’s in plant pathology at North Carolina State University. As a Firstgen (First generation student), Alejandro is committed to disseminating scientific knowledge and bringing high-quality education to students in Latin America. He is working to pursue doctoral studies to gain deeper expertise in this fascinating field of science to contribute to his region. Alejandro has been fortunate to have attended several annual APS Plant Health meetings where he has presented his research.
The Two-Year Sponsored Membership will open the opportunity for Alejandro to present research, that he is currently working on, to the APS community. Further, it will allow Alejandro to interact with APS members throughout the world, find potential collaborators and mentors for his future studies, and keep him current in the latest in molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics. Congratulations, Alejandro!

02/27/2024

APS OIP has given a total of 30 Two-Year Sponsored (Free) Memberships to APS for calendar years 2024 and 2025!
Now... another 30 are available for early to mid-career scientists (preferably) who are not regular members of APS.

Deadline is March 31, 2024, or until all sponsored memberships have been awarded.

The Global Membership Program (Two-year sponsored memberships) with the American Phytopathological Society (APS) are being offered to preferably support plant health professionals in countries considered as low-income and lower-income economies. https://www.apsnet.org/members/community/join/Pages/countries.aspx

The list of low-income and lower-income economies is based on the World Bank Atlas method. However, scientists from other developing economy countries not on the list are still eligible as long as there is a proven financial need by the applicant.

Additional funding for more memberships (up to 30 more) has been secured. Currently, scientists from several countries are benefiting from these sponsored memberships. Such countries include Ecuador, India, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Turkey, and Thailand.

This program is run by the APS Office of International Programs (www.apsnet.org/OIP). If you or someone you know may be interested in receiving a sponsored membership to APS, please fill out the application form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecXobquyVBksUIOUhW3wF4KxhlwkgnjtEBT8-bH0Bx8nF8gA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0PZc4ViMeGs5PFMYPYp8mbb985mDFgxmZcjRqxB7HtiYA-nVrbtfaEisU

Please complete this form to be considered for a two-year sponsored membership with the American Phytopathological Society. This sponsored membership is to support plant health professionals in developing countries. This program is run by the APS Office of International Programs (www.apsnet.org/OIP)...

02/06/2024

Early Career Opportunity!!!
Applications are now open for the International Plant Pathology Research Achievement Award for 2024 and will close June 1, 2024. The award is sponsored by the APS-Office of International Programs. The awardee receives a certificate and a monetary amount of $500.00. International research activities must be conducted in another country other than the home country of the investigator. Examples of research activities that qualify for recognition include innovative international survey network efforts, plant disease diagnostics, plant disease identification, plant-host interactions, and unique plant disease management and control methods. Eligible applicants will be considered if within 10-15 years after the completion of the master's degree or 5-10 years after the completion of the doctoral degree. Applicants are required to be members of American Phytopathological Society to be considered for the award. For more information on application preparation and submission, follow this weblink.

The following provide support as well as recognize scientists who have played a significant role in world-wide plant pathology effortsOIP International Research AchievementSubmissions are open for 2024OIP will give a Certificate of Achievement honoring an early career investigator fo...

01/29/2024

Due February 1st: Books for the World Award application
Need funds to buy APS PRESS resources....read on!
APS-OIP Books for the World Award (last date Feb 1, 2024)
Application for the Books for the World Award by American Phytopathological Society (APS) Foundation is now open. This award provides $500 to be used for educational material ordered through APS PRESS (including books, CDs, and other APS resources).
Eligibility: Preference is given to individuals in developing countries with financial need
Award: $500 (and one-year membership to APS if they are not already members)
Usage: Towards diagnostic and pest management books and resources from APS PRESS
Application due: February 1st (evaluated by a review panel, notifications of winners a few weeks later)
Application material: One PDF document submitted through the website. It must contain:
1) Itemized list of resources you are requesting from the APS PRESS Bookstore
2) Statement of reason for requesting resources and its usage once received
3) Letter of recommendation, supporting applicant's statement
More information: https://www.apsnet.org/.../Pages/BooksfortheWorldAward.aspx

12/21/2023

Need funds to buy APS PRESS resources....read on!

APS-OIP Books for the World Award (last date Feb 1, 2024)

Application for the Books for the World Award by American Phytopathological Society (APS) Foundation is now open. This award provides $500 to be used for educational material ordered through APS PRESS (including books, CDs, and other APS resources).

Eligibility: Preference is given to individuals in developing countries with financial need
Award: $500 (and one-year membership to APS if they are not already members)
Usage: Towards diagnostic and pest management books and resources from APS PRESS
Application due: February 1st (evaluated by a review panel, notifications of winners a few weeks later)
Application material: One PDF document submitted through the website. It must contain:
1) Itemized list of resources you are requesting from the APS PRESS Bookstore
2) Statement of reason for requesting resources and its usage once received
3) Letter of recommendation, supporting applicant's statement
More information: https://www.apsnet.org/members/give-awards/foundation/apply/Pages/BooksfortheWorldAward.aspx