2025 conference scholarship opportunities now open!

March 13, 2025

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.

Are you looking for a personally and professionally rewarding career spent applying solutions to local and global problems? Do you like travelling and exploring new cultures? If so, a future in agricultural development, or food and nutrition security might be your calling!

As a student, would you like to know if a future career in international agriculture for development is for you?

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:

“The 2024 Crawford Fund Conference feels like my first big step towards the career I’ve been dreaming of, and I couldn’t be more grateful…” Mariane Johnstone, Australian National University

“My key takeaway is that meaningful relationships are formed when passionate and openminded people can come together and say, ‘This is me. How can I help?’. When we combine our unique skillsets to work together, we can overcome greater challenges and this gives me hope for the future…” Laura Steel, La Trobe University

“The Scholars’ Program was an excellent opportunity to engage with other early-career researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world…I was particularly impressed by the openness of senior researchers and mentors, who were generous with their time and advice…” Bharath Dinakaran, 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 440 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 2024 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 11 August until 12pm on Wednesday 13 August, around our annual conference from the evening of 11 August and all day on 12 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, 23 May 2025.

Our 2025 conference

Australia’s key food security event, the Crawford Fund annual conference will be held on 11-12 August 2025 in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra.  This year’s event has a working title of Progress and Prospects for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems. We want our conference to bring national attention to actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to craft strategies that can secure food security while promoting environmental sustainability.

We are proud to announce that the Sir John Crawford Memorial Address will be presented by our board member, The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon, Former Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on “Trade-offs and Tough Choices: Lessons in Leadership from the Frontlines of Policy.” 

Our keynote speaker is internationally recognised science leader Dr Rachel Chicwamba, a member of the ACIAR Policy Advisory Council and CGIAR Integrated Partnership Board, and Group Executive: Chemicals, Agriculture, Food and Health Division, The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa.

So please, have a go, or spread the word!

Student Award opportunities are also open!

As part of the Crawford Fund’s suite of opportunities in our NextGen program to encourage the next generation in agriculture for development, we also have the Crawford Fund Student Awards and our inaugural Crawford Fund Henzell Awards for students at Australian universities. If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student, one of these awards may offer you an opportunity to add an international component to your studies, experience, and career pathway. More details here. The closing date for both awards is the same – 12 May 2025.