Join Us This Fall: IAD Info Sessions for Prospective Students + 2027 Applications Opening Soon

We are excited to welcome prospective students passionate about making a difference in food systems, agriculture, and global health. This fall, the UC Davis International Agricultural Development (IAD) Graduate Program is hosting a series of free online information sessions designed to help you learn everything you need to know about the program, and decide if IAD is the right next step for you.

Applications for the Fall 2027 cohort will be opening soon, with a Priority Deadline of December 15, 2026. Now is the perfect time to connect with us.

SAVE THE DATE: October 26, 2026 is our IAD Prospective Student Day at UC Davis. Sign up here if you are interested in keeping informed about this day on campus to meet faculty, students, and experience what IAD at UC Davis is all about. 

Fall 2026 Webinar Schedule

We're hosting three sessions, each with a different focus, so you can attend the one that matters most to you — or join all three.

We hope one of the sessions works well for your time zone. Registration is required, and you’ll receive a confirmation email with your Zoom link after signing up.

If you can’t make it live, don’t worry! All registered participants will receive a recording, and all webinars will also be posted on the IAD website. Follow us and visit iad.ucdavis.edu for updates.

Why IAD?

Many of the most pressing challenges facing society have agriculture and food systems at their core. Addressing them requires professionals who can work across disciplines, connecting agricultural and environmental science with economics, policy, nutrition, markets, data, and communities.

IAD combines the interdisciplinary research power of a leading land grant university with a professionally embedded capstone, a global community of practitioners and researchers, and a curriculum connected to the Sustainable Development Goals. Students leave with practical skills, professional experience, and connections to organizations tackling food and agricultural challenges in the United States and around the world.

IAD graduates work across the agrifood system, including government agencies, universities and research institutions, foundations, food and agricultural companies, producer and community organizations, nutrition and public health organizations, nonprofits, and international institutions. Their work spans food security and nutrition, agricultural economics and policy, markets and value chains, climate resilient agriculture, sustainable production, agricultural innovation, and equitable food systems. With an alumni network spanning more than 30 countries, IAD prepares professionals to work across sectors and geographies to build stronger food and agricultural systems.

2027 Application Dates and Deadlines

Mark these dates now:

Priority Admission Deadline (recommended): December 15, 2026 Priority applicants are considered for the Prospective Student Fellowship and receive the earliest admissions decisions.

General Admission Deadline: April 15, 2027

Space Available Deadline: May 15, 2027

FAFSA Deadline (for domestic students): March 2, 2027

What You'll Need to Apply

The IAD admissions process is holistic. Your full application includes:

• Transcripts from all prior degree programs
• Statement of Purpose (500–1,000 words)
• Three letters of recommendation
• CV/Resume
• English language proficiency scores (if applicable)
• Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)

Start gathering your materials now — especially your letters of recommendation. We recommend giving your letter writers at least six weeks' notice, which means reaching out by mid-October if you're applying by the December 15 deadline.

Note: The GRE is not required for admission to the IAD MS program. For financial aid information, please contact the UC Davis Financial Aid Office directly, as deadlines and programs vary. Review the full application requirements — including the Statement of Purpose, letters of recommendation, and CV — on the IAD admissions page.

Get to Know Us

The best way to find out if IAD is right for you is to show up to one of our fall webinars and ask your questions directly. We want to hear from you.

Visit us at iad.ucdavis.edu for more information on admissions requirements, the curriculum, current student research, and alumni profiles. 

You can also reach our Graduate Program Coordinator Katie Danyo at [email protected] or to Dr. Erin McGuire, Director UC Davis International Agricultural Development Graduate Program at [email protected]

We hope to see you this fall — and in our program next year.