2025 Crawford Fund Conference Scholar Program

Date

Time

** Applications due 23 May 2025 **

Venue

Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra, ACT

Speakers

The 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.

Description

2025 Crawford Fund Conference Scholar Program

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The Opportunity:

AARES will support one young, applied economics student/scientist/practitioner to attend the Crawford Fund 2025 Annual Conference Scholar Program.

As part of our long-term and mutually beneficial association with the Crawford Fund, in 2025 AARES is funding one Crawford Fund conference scholarship. A Crawford Fund conference scholarship includes attendance at the conference (conference registration) and two half days of activities, reasonable transport and accommodation costs.

The purpose of the grant is to encourage scholars to build networks and skills, and to facilitate contact and discussion among those studying the problems or extending knowledge of agricultural and resource economics.

The successful applicant is required in person in Canberra from 12pm Monday 11 August 2025 through to 12pm Wednesday 13 August 2025. 

Following the event, the successful applicant will be asked to share a 500-word report on their experience and the benefits of attending, for publication on the Crawford Fund website and AARES for publication in AARES News and Views and on AARES social media pages. Depending on what State/Territory the applicant resides, they may also be asked to make a presentation to the related Crawford Fund committee with other scholars.

The Crawford Fund Conference:

The Crawford Fund Annual Conference is Australia’s key food security event. The working title for this year's event is “Progress and Prospects for Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems" and will aim to bring national attention to actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to craft strategies that can secure food security while promoting environmental sustainability. 
 
The 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.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be:

• A financial member of AARES Join AARES if you are not already a member! 
• A full-time student at an Australian university or, working in agricultural science or an allied industry
• Able to demonstrate an interest in international agricultural development
• Residing in Australia at the time of application and the conference (only domestic travel included)
• Able to commit to being in Canberra from midday on Monday 11 August until 12pm on Wednesday 13 August 2025
• Under the age of 35 as of 1 July 2025.

Application Requirements:

Submit, by email, the following: 

• A copy of your CV that indicates you are either:
  • A full-time student at an Australian university, or 
  • Working in agricultural science or an allied industry
• A document (maximum two pages) that describes why you wish to attend the conference, describes your relevant research or work interests, and demonstrates your interest in international agricultural development.

For more information, click here.

Submit by email to office@aares.org.au with the subject “AARES 2025 Crawford Fund Conference Application” by 5pm AEST on Friday 23 May 2025.

In the body of the email, applicants are asked to make clear if they have also applied for a conference scholarship position supported by a Crawford Fund State Committee to ensure we can coordinate our review and selection processes.

Please note:
The award will not be held over if the conference is cancelled or the candidate is not able to attend.
The eligibility criteria are closely aligned but not the same as for the Crawford Fund State Committee supported scholarships.