** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE OBJECTIVES ARE TO CREATE A RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS TO CONDUCT ECONOMIC ANALYSES USING AGRICULTURAL, FOOD, AND NATURAL RESOURCE DATA IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. OUR PROPOSAL MEETS THE DEVELOPING PATHWAYSGOAL BY OFFERING UNDERGRADUATES IN FOOD, AGRICULTURE, OR ALLIED DISCIPLINES, THE TECHNICAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS REQUIRED FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SECTORS OR IN GRADUATE PROGRAMS THROUGH AN INTENSIVE INTERNSHIP THAT INCLUDES DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOURS.THE TARGETED STUDENTS IN APPLIED ECONOMICS AND AGRICULTURAL FOOD BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND TRANSFER STUDENTS FROM OUTSIDE THE UMN. THE INTELLECTUAL FOCUS IS THE APPLICATION OF ECONOMIC ANALYSES CONDUCTED IN SPREADSHEETS OR APPLIED ECONOMETRIC PROGRAMS. OUR PROJECT IS DIFFERENT THAN EXISTING INDEPENDENT STUDY OR HONORS PROJECTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE WE PROPOSE A CLOSE MENTORSHIP PROCESS AND AN ORGANIZED COHORT WITH MULTIPLE COLLEAGUES IN A GREATER AND HIGHLY COORDINATED PROGRAM. THE STUDENTS WILL BE ENTERING THEIR JUNIOR YEAR AND BE FUNDED FOR UP TO TWO SEMESTERS AND A SUMMER PROGRAM. THE STUDENTS WILL COMPLETE ONE INTERNATIONAL SITE VISIT, SUBMIT THEIR RESEARCH AND COMPETE IN ONE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT COMPETITION WITH THE AGRICULTURAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION, AND VISIT THE PREMIER USDA ERS LAB WHERE SOCIAL SCIENTISTS WORK, TOURS OF AES RESEARCH SITES AND IRELAND'S USDA. WE SHOW THAT WE HAVE A RECENT HISTORY OF FUNDING M.S. STUDENTS WHO ENTER CAREERS IN GOVERNMENT JOBS AND WE EXPECT OUR RECRUITMENT STRATEGY WILL YIELD STUDENTS WHO MIGHT BE SUITABLE FOR GRADUATE STUDENT FUNDING.