Crawford Fund 2022 Food Security Journalism Award

March 9, 2022

We may have had to put away our travel plans for a while but the Crawford Fund is today launching its 2022 Food Security Journalism Award. This award sees a journalist undertake a ‘seeing is believing’ visit to agriculture for development projects in the field, and interact with passionate students, researchers, and local farmers, and then share their stories with the Australian public.

“In this, our 35th birthday year, we are proud to launch our Food Security Journalism Award, which has been on hold since 2019. It is part of our efforts to draw attention to the significant role Australians and Australian support play in the international agricultural research and development arena,” said Dr Colin Chartres, the Crawford Fund’s Chief Executive Officer.

“This award provides an opportunity to highlight the difference our agricultural development programs are making in changing the lives and livelihoods of those in our region.”

“The journalist who wins this award will benefit immensely from seeing agricultural development and research first-hand and meeting the passionate men and women dedicated to improving food and nutrition security,” said Dr Chartres.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists who work with us each year in delivering this award which recognises excellence in reporting.”

The winning journalist will be provided with a Crawford Fund ‘seeing is believing’ visit to a developing country to view and report on current Australian and international research and training that has a focus on food security.

“With the award having been on hold through the pandemic, we are providing a much broader window within which the applicant’s piece of work can be submitted,” said Colin.

Eligible applicants submit a piece of completed work on an issue related to food security and nutrition that is published (either in print, broadcast or online) between 01 January 2020 and the close of business on Friday, 29 April 2022.

Entries should be submitted to the Fund’s Director of Outreach, Ms Cathy Reade by COB Monday, 9 May 2022, to be considered by a reviewing/judging panel.

We appreciate that there are complexities with travel to developing countries, particularly since the outbreak of COVID-19. The overseas destination will be identified by the Fund as safe for travel for agreement by the journalist.  DFAT travel advice will be adhered to at all times. Proof of fulfillment of country requirements for COVID-19 vaccination will be required of the journalist. Travel will not be undertaken to countries requiring quarantining. Our Director of Outreach accompanies the winner and develops the program for the visit in consultation with the winner and Australian and international project partners.

The winner will be announced by the end of May. Further details, including the application and judging processes, are available here.