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.
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.
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. Here are the suggested reporting guidelines for an idea of what is expected once the experience is over.
The Crawford Fund 2026 Student Awards are now closed.
Congratulations to the successful applicant from Tasmania, who received a 2025 award to gain experience in international agricultural research and development first hand.
Crawford Fund Henzell Awards
The Crawford Fund for Food Security offers 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 closed.
Congratulations to the four successful applicants who received our 2025 Henzell Awards.
TAS Crawford Fund Scholars: 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.
In 2025, we had a bumper crop of 34 scholars from universities and organisations across Australia! This took 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. You can enjoy the thoughts and reflections of our 2025 scholars here.
Our 2025 conference scholars from TAS are pictured below:
Tasmanian Committee in the News
- Acknowledging Long-Term and Dedicated Service to Improving Food Security
- 2026 conference scholarship opportunities now open!
- Supporting sustainable animal agriculture for developing countries
- Understanding what influences agricultural mechanisation adoption in Fiji
- “This award deeply affirmed my aspiration to work in global agricultural development” – inaugural Henzell Awardee Ava Christie
Events