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.
2025 Crawford Fund Student Awards – Victoria
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 Victoria, applications are invited from 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 RECIPIENT!
Congratulations to the successful applicant from Victoria, who received a 2024 award 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.
Victoria 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.
Victorian Committee in the News
- “An overwhelming sense of community, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing” – Scholar Reflections from Victoria
- Sharing sustainable livestock practices across the globe
- Victorian Committee goes on the road
- Extending the reach of plant pathology expertise with training
- Shining LAMP on epidemiology and emergency management
Events
- Crawford Fund Victoria 2023 forum – Doing Well by Doing Good
- Emerging trends in nutrition and food security in the Asia Pacific region