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.
2025 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.
The Crawford Fund 2025 Student Awards are now open!
In Tasmania, applications are invited from undergraduate, 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 and we encourage you to contact the Coordinator (listed in the background document) for any clarification you may need. 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.
Apply online here, 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 2025 Student Awards is COB 12 May 2025.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2024 STUDENT AWARD RECIPIENTS!
Congratulations to the 3 successful applicants fromTasmania, who received 2024 awards to gain experience in international agricultural research and development first hand.
2025 Crawford Fund Henzell Awards
The Crawford Fund is offering travel awards, thanks to support from Ted and Frances Henzell and their family, designed specifically for undergraduate students who are in their second or subsequent year of undergraduate study at an Australian university, and are Australian citizens or permanent residents. The awards are for brief visits to a specific but broad range of tropical countries where there is work underway for food and nutrition security.
All the details are available here.
The closing date for the 2025 Henzell Awards is also COB 12 May 2025.
TAS Crawford Fund Scholars: 2024 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 2024, we had a bumper crop of 40 2024 Annual Conference scholarship winners from universities and organisations across Australia! This took our conference scholar alumni to almost 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.
Tasmanian Committee in the News
- Supporting acacia and eucalypt breeding in Vietnam
- Building diverse, productive and resilient farming systems in Fiji
- “I learned valuable lessons about engaging with farmers from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds” – Scholar Reflections from Tasmania
- “The most enriching personal and professional experience of my life” with pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya
- Managing Sandalwood in Tonga
Events