YOUNG innovators and scientists are being encouraged to apply for the 2013 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said applications are now open for grants of up to $22,000 for innovative projects across Australia’s agriculture, fisheries, forestry, food and natural resource management sectors.
“The 2013 Science and Innovation Awards support young people aged 18 to 35 years who have an innovative project that will benefit Australia’s primary industries,” Minister Ludwig said.
“Young people are passionate about the future of our primary industries. The future of rural Australia and these Awards are a way to bring their ideas to fruition and help advance their careers.”
There are a number of industry category awards available to applicants, supported by Australia’s research and development corporations (RDCs). Categories include animal welfare, red meat processing, pork, dairy, fisheries and aquaculture, grains, sugar, viticulture and oenology, cotton, meat and livestock, new and emerging rural industries and horticulture.
“These awards also give people the opportunity to work closely with the RDCs and explore other exciting pathways into the primary industries sector,” Minister Ludwig said.
Successful recipients can use their funding for a range of activities including study, training and development, research projects, industry visits or conferences and workshops.
Minister Ludwig said that after an additional application and assessment process, one of the industry category award recipients will then receive the Minister’s Award, which provides an additional $33,000 in funding to further develop their research project.
The successful recipients of the 2013 Science and Innovation Awards will be publicly acknowledged at the Outlook 2013 conference dinner on Tuesday 5 March.
Applications close on Friday 23 November 2012. For further information, including application forms and a list of Awards supporters, visit the department's website, contact 02 6272 2260 or email Science Awards.