WA Committee
Established in 1995 with support from the Government of Western Australia and the private sector, the Western Australian Program invites submissions for training developing country workers in any field where WA expertise can make a significant contribution to food production. We especially seek projects for training Indonesian, African and Middle Eastern workers in plant breeding, pasture and animal production, grain storage, salinity problems, plant nutrition and fisheries management.
Western Australian farmers have benefited from the support provided to developing country trainees by acquiring valuable plant germplasm—Biserrula from Morocco, anthracnose resistant albus lupin from Ethiopia, and black spot resistant field pea from Russia—through the scientific network that the training courses have established. In addition, training in pest and disease diagnosis and control is reducing risks of introducing plant and animal diseases, and problems arising from faulty diagnosis of diseases in products that are exported from and imported into Australia. Commercial enterprises have benefited from their partnership with the Crawford Fund to support training projects for importers in the efficient use of their products, reducing marketing risks, and enhancing their image as good corporate citizens.
We invite new participants for projects on the basis that WA commerce will be “doing well by doing good.” A brochure summarising our activities is available here.
2023 Crawford Fund Student Awards – Western Australia
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 2023 Student Awards are now open!
In Western Australia, applications are open to honours and postgraduate 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. The short 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.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPROVED AWARDEES’ TRAVEL WILL NEED TO COMPLY WITH DFAT TRAVEL ADVICE FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH PURPOSES.
The closing date for the 2023 Student Awards is COB 15 May 2023.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 STUDENT AWARD RECIPIENTS!
Congratulations to the 14 successful applicants from around Australia who received our 2022 awards to experience international agricultural research and development first hand.
The WA awardee was:
Amelia Hawkins, The University of Western Australia
Location/Focus: Brazil
Research: Catalyzing and Learning through Private Sector Engagement (CAL-PSE).
Other Collaborating Institutions: International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and University of Sao Paulo (ESALQ).
International Training and Agriculture Awards
The Crawford Fund WA Committee has for many years supported targeted training of overseas scientists and extension officers either in ‘home country’ or Australia. Each year it offers a small number of competitive grants of up to a maximum of $15,000 each for short-term training activities. Such activities may include workshop attendance, short-term visits to other institutes, as well as areas of agricultural research, extension, governance and management training for individuals or small groups.
WA Crawford Fund Scholars: 2022 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 46 2022 Annual Conference scholarship winners from universities and organisations across Australia, and for the first time, special guest scholars from Papua New Guinea! This takes our conference scholar alumni to almost 370 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 2022 conference scholars from WA are listed below.
- Alice Butler, WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)
- Daniel Kierath, University of Western Australia
- Niamh Walsh, Curtin University
- Shell Xiao, Syngenta Australia
Training Activities and Events
The Western Australian Committee is involved in a range of training activities, such as managing stored grain pests, safe herbicide use and biosecurity; and events to provide networking opportunities for younger researchers.
Here are some examples:
- Delivering agribusiness marketing training in Cambodia
- Sustainable management of multi-functional landscapes in Brazil
- All in a PhD’s work – exploring the role of proteins for food security and better beer
- Student Award applications – second round offer for NSW, WA & VIC
- 2022 Conference Scholarships opportunity for young West Aussies