RBF Program for Asian Projects

In the 1980s the Fund reshaped its interest in Asia. Begun in 1973 and focused initially in Japan and the countries of Southeast Asia on regional security, trade, and economic issues as well as agricultural research and development, the Asia grant program was extended to China and South Korea in the early 1980s. Then, in 1987 the Fund set aside $2 million designated for the Program for Asian Projects to be used for small grants furthering the work, including collaborative efforts, of the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, a program of Asia wide awards the Fund had established in the Philippines in 1957. And by the end of the 1980s, the agriculture related grants were incorporated in a new and expanded program focused on the sustainable use of resources.