WA Committee
Established in 1995 with support from the Government of Western Australia and the private sector, the Western Australian Program invites submissions for training developing country workers in any field where WA expertise can make a significant contribution to food production. We especially seek projects for training Indonesian, African and Middle Eastern workers in plant breeding, pasture and animal production, grain storage, salinity problems, plant nutrition and fisheries management.
Western Australian farmers have benefited from the support provided to developing country trainees by acquiring valuable plant germplasm—Biserrula from Morocco, anthracnose resistant albus lupin from Ethiopia, and black spot resistant field pea from Russia—through the scientific network that the training courses have established. In addition, training in pest and disease diagnosis and control is reducing risks of introducing plant and animal diseases, and problems arising from faulty diagnosis of diseases in products that are exported from and imported into Australia. Commercial enterprises have benefited from their partnership with the Crawford Fund to support training projects for importers in the efficient use of their products, reducing marketing risks, and enhancing their image as good corporate citizens.
We invite new participants for projects on the basis that WA commerce will be “doing well by doing good.” A brochure summarising our activities is available here.
2026 Crawford Fund Student Awards – WA
As part of our efforts to support and encourage the next generation in study, careers and volunteering in international agricultural research, the Crawford Fund proudly supports our Student Awards. These awards have been developed specifically to enable university students to gain valuable experience and expertise by bringing an international component to their studies and research.
The Crawford Fund 2026 Student Awards are now open!
In Western Australia, applications are invited from postgraduate and honours students interested in gaining international agricultural research experience in developing countries, with a maximum of $5,000 awarded. We strongly recommend you read this general background information before you start your online application and we encourage you to contact the Coordinator (listed in the background document) for any clarification you may need. The online application form will require you to attach a brief CV, the signatures of, or a supporting note from, the authorised officers approving your application, and details of at least one referee.
Apply online and take a look at the suggested reporting guidelines for an idea of what is expected once the experience is over.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPROVED AWARDEES’ TRAVEL WILL NEED TO COMPLY WITH DFAT TRAVEL ADVICE FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH PURPOSES.
The closing date for the 2026 Student Awards is COB 12 May 2026.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 STUDENT AWARD RECIPIENTS!
Congratulations to the 2 successful applicants from WA, who received 2025 awards to gain experience in international agricultural research and development first hand.
2026 Crawford Fund Henzell Awards
The Crawford Fund for Food Security is offering travel awards designed specifically for Australian citizens and permanent residents in their second or subsequent year of an undergraduate degree, thanks to support from Ted and Frances Henzell and their family. The Henzell’s and the Crawford Fund hope by experiencing work on the ground in a partner country, you may be encouraged to consider further related study and develop a career to join the many others active with Australian and international institutions having an impact on food and nutrition security.
The Crawford Fund 2026 Henzell Awards are now open!
All the details are available here.
The closing date for the 2026 Henzell Awards is Tuesday 12 May 2026.
Congratulations to the four successful applicants who received our 2025 Henzell Awards.
International Training and Agriculture Awards
The Crawford Fund WA Committee has for many years supported targeted training of overseas scientists and extension officers either in ‘home country’ or Australia. Each year it offers a small number of competitive grants of up to a maximum of $15,000 each for short-term training activities. Such activities may include workshop attendance, short-term visits to other institutes, as well as areas of agricultural research, extension, governance and management training for individuals or small groups.
WA Crawford Fund Scholars: 2025 Annual Conference
Each year, the Crawford Fund Committees offer Conference Scholarships for students and young researchers to attend the annual conference. The Scholarship provides funds to cover expenses such as travel, accommodation and registration.
We’re excited to announce our bumper crop of 34 from universities and organisations across Australia! This takes our conference scholar alumni to over 500 young students and researchers and industry representatives with an interest in reshaping agriculture to better address food security, the nutritional needs of a growing population, and the environment.
The 2025 conference scholars from WA are:
WA Committee
Rutwik Barmukh, Murdoch University
Stephanie Boyce, CSU/DPIRD WA
William Mutton, University of Western Australia
Luke Pilmer, Murdoch University/DPIRD WA
Sneha Sharma, DPIRD WA
Training Activities and Events
The Western Australian Committee is involved in a range of training activities, such as managing stored grain pests, safe herbicide use and biosecurity; and events to provide networking opportunities for younger researchers.
Here are some examples:
- Holistic management for Ugandan small landholders
- “The experience has made me re-evaluate the impact I can have as a researcher” – Our scholar reflections from WA
- Proudly announcing our 2025 Student Awardees!
- Congratulations to our 2025 Crawford Fund Conference Scholars
- Understanding soil health in cassava based cropping systems in Laos
Events