Scholarships up for grabs for aspiring cropping scientists

Applications for Farrer Memorial Travelling Scholarships are invited from PhD students wanting to expand their studies and research in field crops through overseas travel.   

Director General of Department of Primary Industries and Farrer Memorial Trust Chairman, Dr Richard Sheldrake, said the scholarships are designed to support overseas travel by postgraduate students enrolled for a PhD on any aspect of field crop research.   

“This can include attendance at an international conference, where a paper or poster is being presented,” he said.   

“As a guide, travelling scholarships will normally be awarded up to the value of $5000.”   

Applicants must be: 

• Postgraduate student enrolled for a PhD on any aspect of agricultural research; and 
• Citizen or permanent resident of Australia.   

“It is essential applicants justify why support for overseas travel is being sought, the likely benefits and a budget explanation for the level of funds requested,” Dr Sheldrake said.   

“Applicants should visit several relevant research centres as part of their itinerary.   

“They should include curriculum vitae, a detailed itinerary, details of their research to be presented at the conference and a supporting statement from their supervisor.     

“A detailed report on the conference and visits to research centres is to be submitted to the Farrer Trust on their return.”   

Selection will take place to allow travel to be undertaken between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013.   

Applications, including a covering letter, must be lodged through the Dean of the student’s Faculty of Agriculture to reach the Secretary, Farrer Memorial Trust, PO Box K220, Haymarket NSW 1240, no later than Friday 11 May 2012.   

Additional information on the Farrer Memorial Trust and scholarship application forms are available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/field/field-crops/farrer-memorial-trust  or by contacting the Secretary of the Trust on (02) 8289 3905.

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