TAS Committee
The Tasmanian program was established in 2011, the last State to do so. With support from the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, the program addresses training needs identified as part of the wide spectrum of research and development undertaken by Tasmanian-based scientists. A particular feature of the program has been the emphasis on sustainable forestry and fisheries, with a concentration of effort in ACIAR and other projects in those areas undertaken by UTAS, CSIRO and the Tasmanian Forest Practices Authority.
Tasmanian agriculture is also characterised by diversity, from intensive horticulture and dairying through to mixed cropping and livestock, and that has also been reflected in the programs supported, from pyrethrum and vegetables in PNG through to beef cattle in Vietnam. The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture has research interests across the value chain from production to market, with particular expertise in intensive production systems based on irrigation. While the Tasmanian environment is temperate, researchers operate in a wide range of tropical lowland and highland environments in the Pacific Islands, PNG, Indonesia, Vietnam and elsewhere. A brochure summarising our activities is available here.
2026 Crawford Fund Student Awards – TAS
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 Tasmania, applications are invited from undergraduate, 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 successful applicant from Tasmania, who received a 2025 award 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.
TAS 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 Tasmania are:
Ava Christie, University of Tasmania
Emi Benic, University of Tasmania
Sarah Fulton, University of Tasmania
Usman Ijaz, University of Tasmania
Fahad Khan, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania
Shilpa Koirala, University of Tasmania
Finlay Walton, University of Tasmania
Tasmanian Committee in the News
- Leveraging local food procurement to support healthy and sustainable school feeding program in Kenya
- Lifetime Achievement Award accolade for Dr Neville Mendham
- Welcoming our new TAS Committee Chair
- “Exchanging ideas, challenges, and solutions with others who share a drive for sustainability left me energised…”- Our scholar reflections from TAS
- Celebrating our first ever Henzell Awardees!
Events