VIC Committee
The Victorian program, established in 1995, enjoys strong support from the Victorian Government and the private sector for its training activities in crop production, the dairy industry, education and animal health. The Victorian Program has adopted a strategy of selecting and concentrating on projects which will provide cumulative ongoing benefit to developing country agriculture by running programs which build on experience year on year for up to three years.
This, however, does not prevent us from seizing opportunities for valuable ad hoc training when appropriate. Major crop programs have included cocoa in Vietnam and Papua New Guinea (PNG), potatoes in PNG, dairy hygiene in Malaysia and Indonesia, animal health in Nepal and an ongoing relationship with the Royal National University of Bhutan where we helped to set up a bachelor of agriculture degree course and training in research techniques in agriculture. Victorian scientists and technologists have welcomed the opportunities to interact with colleagues and students to help them lift agricultural production in developing countries, while at the same time enhancing the scientific capacity of their own agencies through networking and exchanging knowledge and ideas on food and fibre production.
Additionally we are now making greater use of valuable Australian facilities such as the National Grains Genebank and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory, both based in Victoria. We will be looking for opportunities to increase training in plant biosecurity to complement the work we are already doing in animal biosecurity. A brochure summarising our activities is available here.
2026 Crawford Fund Student Awards – VIC
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 Victoria, 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 3 successful applicants from Victoria, 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.
VIC 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 Victoria are:
Brandon Conway-Rusk, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Ellie Maeve Gerhardy, Deakin University
Sneha Rajackal Senthil Vel, The University of Melbourne
Gracia Sie, The University of Melbourne
Victorian Committee in the News
- Strengthening animal health across the Pacific by empowering veterinary professionals
- “I left Canberra humbled by the scale of the challenges ahead, yet energised by the people I met, the stories I heard, and the possibilities that lie ahead.” – Our scholar reflections from VIC
- Proudly announcing our 2025 Student Awardees!
- Congratulations to our 2025 Crawford Fund Conference Scholars
- Increasing the yield and water use efficiency of African sorghum
Events
- Crawford Fund Victoria 2023 forum – Doing Well by Doing Good
- Emerging trends in nutrition and food security in the Asia Pacific region