MSU TIES Program

The Training, Internships, Exchanges and Scholarships (TIES) initiative is an important component of the Partnership for Prosperity, which is a public-private alliance that focuses on promoting economic growth and higher living standards.

USAID/Mexico's TIES higher education partnerships consist of fully collaborative relationships between Mexican and U.S. higher education institutions and their public and private sector partners on both sides of the border. TIES enhances the capacity of higher education institutions of both nations to examine mutual development opportunities and challenges, work in strategic alliances to develop appropriate plans and solutions, and assist Mexico in benefiting more broadly from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Fifty-five (55) higher education partnerships were awarded under TIES funding in Phases I and II of the initiative.

Enhancing the Capacity of UACH to Promote Sustainable Livelihood and Equitable Development in Poor Rural Communities of Mexico is one of five new grant awards under the Phase III of the USAID/Mexico Training, Internships, Exchanges, and Scholarships (TIES) Initiative. Phase III of the TIES initiative is intended to initiate higher education partnerships that address Mexican competitiveness, target underprivileged areas, and fully engage the private sector. A new dimension to the collaboration and mutual benefit that have been the hallmark of TIES partnerships has been brought to Phase III by the inclusion of partners in Mexico designated by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT) as programs of excellence and eligible for "becas mixtas" awards. Becas Mixtas programs support national scholars of CONACyT who wish to stay abroad at a U.S. higher education institution to carry out a research activity as part of their post-graduate studies.