Scholarships up for grabs as WA Agricultural Research Collaboration launches postgraduate program

Twelve budding agricultural scientists will receive “top-up” scholarships as part of a new postgraduate program announced by the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration this week. WAARC director Kelly Pearce said the Postgraduate Research Scholarship Program would provide career and skills development while building research capacity and future-proofing the State’s agriculture and food sector. “WAARC is committed to nurturing talent and attracting future leaders from a range of professional backgrounds to build a vibrant agricultural research environment in our State,” he said. Round one applications are open until April 16 for eligible students keen to make a difference in the agriculture and food sector. Dr Pearce encouraged applicants across all fields of research and expertise to apply. “Perhaps you are a computer scientist or someone keen to apply new technologies in agriculture, a rural agronomist interested in a particular area of research, or a regional grower group member looking to deep-dive into a project for your group,” he said. Successful applicants will receive an annual stipend top-up of $24,000 to support their living expenses while completing their PhDs with WAARC’s three university members: Curtin, Murdoch and UWA. Applicants need not be enrolled in a current PhD or have a base scholarship to apply. WAARC’s non-university members — CSIRO, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Grower Group Alliance — will provide access to leading industry researchers as possible co-supervisors, as well as world-class research facilities, field sites, grower groups and industry networks. “This transformative scholarship program will inspire and open exciting doors for the next generation of leaders in WA agriculture,” Dr Pearce said. “The scholarships will provide more than financial support — they are an invaluable opportunity for our student researchers to access mentors, networks, professional development and first-hand industry experience.” Recipients will become part of a multi-organisational network of WAARC researchers and students, completing projects that respond to emerging trends and challenges within the agriculture and food sector. They will need to align their research projects with one or more of WAARC’s six key research programs: northern agriculture, grains transformation, climate resilience, agricultural technologies, Aboriginal science engagement, and capacity building and extension. Visit dpird.smartygrants.com.au/WAARC-R1 to apply. The program is being funded as part of a three-year $25 million State Government commitment to support WAARC and boost WA’s research capacity, industry sustainability and resilience.