International Comparative Rural Policy Summer Institute (ICRPS) 2014

International Comparative Rural Policy Summer Institute (ICRPS) 2014 - Toluca, Mexico

Sunday June 29th to Sunday July 13th, 2014.

The ICRPS Summer Institute provides a unique opportunity for students from a range of OECD countries to meet and work together on comparative rural policy issues while obtaining class credit (optional) and making invaluable research and networking contacts.  Faculty involved in ICRPS represent the disciplines of economics, sociology, geography, political science, policy studies, environmental studies, and planning. Since 2004 over 280 graduate students from North America and Europe have benefited from the innovative blend of classroom instruction, rural visits and research meetings.

The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development of the University of Guelph was instrumental in creating the program in 2004. The 2014 summer school will again feature faculty from the University of Guelph and over one dozen other universities, research institutes and government agencies.   The host for this year's summer institute is the Department of Economics of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Mexico (Autonomous University of the State of Mexico) in Toluca which is a one hour drive southwest from Mexico City.

The ICRPS summer institutes are held in North America and Europe in alternating years.  For students who attend two consecutive schools this provides an opportunity to study rural issues in two countries on two continents.  The program includes advanced topics and is an opportunity to develop Masters and PhD research programs as well as share research results with faculty and other students interested in rural policy. The ICRPS Summer Institute was first held at the University of Guelph in 2004.  Since then it has been convened in Leuven, Belgium (2005); Brandon, Manitoba (2006); Barcelona, Spain (2007); Missouri, USA (2008), Inverness, Scotland (2009), Oregon, USA (2010),  Songdal, Norway (2011), Rimouski, Quebec (2012), and Bertinoro, Italy (2013).

The institute involves 25-30 students and 15-20 faculty. Lectures are supplemented with field trips, group work and student presentations. Each institute connects faculty and international students in a dedicated learning environment. In addition, each institute is a combination of new and returning students, which enhances the mutual learning experience of both years.  Costs for tuition, accommodations (double) , meals, and field trips for the two-week program will be $US 1,960.  Registration fees include:

•     14 nights accommodation in double room (to be shared with another participant at the University Residential of UAEM
•     All meals and support materials
•     Field trip transportation

These fees do not cover travel to and from Toluca.

Deadline for online application: April 25th, 2014

How to Apply

Interested University of Guelph students should contact John Devlin from the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development to indicate their interest.  The University of Guelph may nominate up to 6 students to attend.   Some limited travel support may be available but students should explore travel support opportunities from other university sources.

You may also obtain additional background information on the ICRPS website.