2024 Conference Scholarship Opportunities Now Open!
March 20, 2024
The Crawford Fund has launched its conference scholarships – a fantastic opportunity for people under 35 who are passionate about food and nutrition security or agricultural research and development.
If you are looking for a personally and professionally rewarding career spent applying solutions to local and global problems while travelling and exploring new cultures – a future in agricultural development, or food and nutrition security might be for you!
But many students ask – how do I get into international agriculture for development?
We strongly encourage you to seek out this opportunity to attend our annual conference in Canberra in August and experience two fun and informative half days of activities around the conference including personal mentoring and first-hand advice about the opportunities available.
Some feedback from last year’s scholars:
“I carry with me the lessons, connections, and inspiration gained from this transformative experience…” Ming Cheng, University of Queensland
“The excitement and passion for international agriculture from the other attendees has inspired me to explore the possibilities…” Quintin Murphy, Charles Sturt University
“I want to tell the entire world about the Crawford Fund and hope to be involved in the conferences every year for the rest of my career in agriculture and animal health.” Maria Ortiz, University of Tasmania
These conference scholarships are an integral part of suite of NextGen activities to encourage young people in their study, careers and volunteering in international agricultural research and showcase for them the diversity of pathways available to explore.
Those who have received scholarships in the past have come from a diverse range of disciplines, including outside agriculture, but all had a strong interest in food and nutrition security.
Applications are open Australia-wide, but Queensland has already arranged their recipients so cannot take more applications.
Our 403 past scholars are overwhelmingly positive about their conference scholarship experiences, seeing it as an invaluable mentoring, networking and motivational experience. You can enjoy the thoughts and reflections of our 2023 scholars here.
About the program
The scholars are involved in two ½ days of activities in addition to the conference. They engage with the speakers, experienced Australian agricultural researchers and educators, and other passionate young people who have experience overseas in developing countries as researchers, volunteers or mentors.
The scholarships are awarded through our State and Territory programs, with conference registration fees and reasonable transport, food and accommodation costs covered by the award.
This year the conference scholar program will run from midday on Monday 12 August until 12pm on Wednesday 14 August, around our annual conference from the evening of 12 August and all day on 13 August.
We are really appreciative of the assistance we get in running the scholar activities by members of the Researchers in Agriculture for International Development (RAID Network).
Full details on eligibility and the application process are here.
Any questions can be directed to the Crawford Fund Coordinator for your State/Territory.
The application process is simple with a short online application form.
Applications close COB Friday, 24 May 2024.
Our 2024 conference
The Crawford Fund’s annual conference is a highlight of Australia’s agricultural development and food security calendar. For more than 30 years we have drawn significant focus to issues worthy of global and Australian attention, and this year we continue that proud tradition.
We will announce all the details of our conference soon, but the title is Food and Nutrition Security: Transformative Partnerships, Local Leadership and Co-Design. Just how we work in true partnerships to develop, design, and implement new projects, build capacity, and have on the ground impact overseas and in Australia is a critical challenge.
Our 2024 conference will consider how high-quality research partnerships can be built; how these should deal with delivering high impact outcomes in a range of challenging operating environments; and what the mutual capacity building needs are to facilitate these goals.
We are proud to announce that the Sir John Crawford Memorial Address will be presented by resilience specialist Dr Line Gordon, Director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre and our keynote speaker is visionary leader and strategic thinker on research for a food secure future, Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR.
