Study In USA: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Scholarship 2025 [Apply Now]

Are you passionate about sustainable farming, crop innovation, and using data to solve real-world agricultural challenges? Would you like to earn a fully funded Master’s degree in the United States while working with top researchers in digital agriculture?

Then this is your moment.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Fully Funded Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) in the cutting-edge field of Digital Agriculture and Nutrient Management.

This opportunity is more than a scholarship — it’s a full-time research position in one of the USA’s leading agricultural institutions. The selected candidate will receive a full tuition waiver, a stipend of $27,876 per year, and health insurance — and will work closely with Dr. Guillermo Balboa’s renowned Digital Farming Lab.

If you’re a data-loving, fieldwork-ready scientist looking to shape the future of farming, this program could be your launchpad.

Scholarship Overview — At a Glance

What Makes This Scholarship Special?

This isn’t just another academic program — it’s a hands-on, fully immersive research experience. At its heart, this opportunity is about combining precision agriculture, GIS, crop modeling, and machine learning to make farming more efficient, productive, and environmentally sustainable.

The project specifically focuses on:

• Improving corn productivity

• Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE)

• Utilizing advanced digital tools to drive smarter farming decisions

The successful applicant will become a core member of UNL’s Digital Farming Lab, contributing to high-impact research and collaborating with academia, industry partners, and policy makers.

About the Digital Farming Lab

Led by Dr. Guillermo Balboa, the Digital Farming Lab at UNL is a dynamic research group pioneering the use of technology to improve crop production systems.

The lab’s goal is to translate big data into actionable farming solutions, with an emphasis on:

• Site-specific nutrient management

• Geospatial crop modeling

• Environmental sustainability

• Farmer-centric innovations

As a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA), you will contribute to multiple phases of the research pipeline — from field trials to high-level data analysis — and your work could be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at major scientific conferences.

‍ Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is best suited for motivated scientists who love working with data and getting their hands dirty in the field.

✅ Academic Background

You must have a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following:

• Agronomy

• Crop Science

• Soil Science

• Plant Science

• Agricultural Engineering

• Precision Agriculture

• Environmental Science

• Or a closely related field

Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent)

✅ Skills & Experience

Candidates should have demonstrable experience in:

• GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and spatial data analysis

• Crop modeling and simulation tools

• Data interpretation and analytics

• Field experiment management

Bonus if you’ve worked with:

• Remote sensing tools

• Decision support systems (DSS)

• Statistical software like R, Python, or SAS

✅ Soft Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• High attention to detail

• A collaborative, team-oriented mindset

• Passion for solving real-world agricultural problems

What’s Covered — Your Full Financial Support Package

UNL’s Graduate Research Assistantship comes with one of the most generous and comprehensive funding packages for international Master’s students in agriculture.

Financial Benefits:

• Annual Stipend: $27,876 USD
  Paid monthly to cover your living expenses in Nebraska.

• Tuition Waiver:
  Covers up to:

  • 12 credit hours per semester during Fall and Spring

  • 6–12 credit hours during summer

• Health Insurance:
  Comprehensive coverage provided at a significantly reduced rate.

In essence, this means you’ll pay almost nothing out-of-pocket while studying and conducting impactful research in one of the USA’s most important agricultural states.

Key Responsibilities

As a GRA in the Digital Farming Lab, your responsibilities will include:

Research & Fieldwork

• Set up and manage on-farm field experiments

• Collect and process soil, crop, and weather data

• Use digital sensors and drones to monitor crop performance

Data Analysis

• Perform statistical analyses using tools like R, Python, or ArcGIS

• Conduct spatial and temporal modeling

• Interpret results to improve nitrogen management strategies

Communication & Dissemination

• Write research reports and peer-reviewed journal articles

• Present findings at national and international conferences

• Help develop extension materials to share insights with farmers

This is an active research role — you won’t just be reading about agriculture, you’ll be shaping its future.

How to Apply — Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Fill the Pre-Application Form

Before submitting a full application, all interested candidates must complete a pre-application form:

This form helps the lab team screen for eligible candidates and streamline the selection process.

Step 2: Await Lab Invitation

If your pre-application is successful, you’ll receive an invitation to submit a full graduate school application to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Step 3: Submit Full Application (upon invitation)

Prepare the following documents for your full application:

• Academic transcripts

• CV or résumé

• Statement of purpose

• Letters of recommendation

• GRE/TOEFL (if required for your country)

️ Deadline for Pre-Application:
May 31, 2025

Tip: Submit early — applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Why Study at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

UNL is one of the top research universities in the United States, especially known for its expertise in:

• Agricultural Sciences

• Precision Farming

• Environmental Science

• Data-Driven Agronomy

The state of Nebraska itself is a powerhouse of U.S. agriculture — making it the perfect setting for applied research in crop science, remote sensing, and digital farming innovations.

Plus, as a student at UNL, you’ll benefit from:

• A vibrant and diverse graduate student community

• Access to state-of-the-art labs and greenhouses

• Proximity to top agricultural companies and farming networks

• A cost-friendly and peaceful lifestyle in Lincoln, Nebraska

Final Thoughts — Why This Scholarship Is a Big Deal

The 2025 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Graduate Scholarship is your chance to:

✅ Study in a world-class agricultural institution
✅ Receive full financial support and real-world research experience
✅ Master the tools and technologies that are revolutionizing agriculture
✅ Build a career in research, policy, consulting, or agri-tech

Whether you’re looking to work with multinational crop companies, lead government agricultural programs, or pursue a PhD — this Master’s GRA program is your gateway to global impact.

Apply Now via Pre-Application Form
https://go.unl.edu/digitalgra

️ Deadline: May 31, 2025
Start Date: Fall 2025
Need Help? Reach out to the Digital Farming Lab via the application link for more details.