NSW Committee
In 1999, the Crawford Fund expanded its agricultural training scheme with the appointment of a New South Wales Committee chaired by Australia’s former Minister for Primary Industry and Energy, the Hon John Kerin. The Committee is identifying and expanding agricultural training opportunities, relevant to the NSW rural sector, that will bring together Australian experts and people from developing countries to improve food production and processing in developing countries. A brochure summarising our activities is available here.
2026 Crawford Fund Student Awards – NSW
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 NSW, applications are invited from 4th year 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 4 successful applicants from NSW, 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.
Training Activities
The current emphasis of the New South Wales Committee’s training programs is in areas having high value to developing countries in the Asian region and in which competence and experience of a very high order resides amongst government agencies and universities within NSW. These include: plant and animal breeding, animal disease diagnosis and preparedness, weed management, social dimensions of agricultural research and extension, natural resource management – land, forestry, fisheries and water, and food safety and preservation.
NSW 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 NSW are:
Bethany Ellis, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Annalise Magill, University of Sydney
Elizabeth Markie, University of Sydney
Maximus Pollard, University of Sydney
Sophia Thach, Applied Horticultural Research
NSW Committee in the News
- “This experience has profoundly shaped my perspective on international agricultural research” – inaugural Henzell Awardee Ava Robertson
- Strengthening honey bee biosecurity collaboration through the Asia-Pacific
- Understanding Japanese encephalitis virus transmission and control
- “The 2025 Crawford Fund Conference was an excellent opportunity to gain insight into how agriculture connects to global challenges and to see the wide range of career pathways that exist within the sector” – Our scholar reflections from NSW
- Celebrating our first ever Henzell Awardees!
Events