Grants available for young innovators
Innovative young Australians, with ideas to help shape the future of our rural industries through emerging scientific projects, can apply for funding under a national awards program.
Young Australians aged 18 to 35 years can now apply for the 2011 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, said the Awards are a great opportunity for young Australians to boost our rural industries and encourage innovation in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.
“Australia succeeds in agriculture because we promote and embrace research and innovation which results in more productive and sustainable primary industries,” Minister Ludwig said.
“These Awards showcase that success and provide a great opportunity for young scientists and innovators to boost our rural industries by helping convert ideas into reality.”
“Winning projects will help contribute to the ongoing success and sustainability of Australia’s primary industries, including food productivity and sustainable natural resource management.”
This year, nine winners will receive up to $22,000 each to undertake a project exploring an emerging scientific issue or innovative activity over a 12-month period, with one winner receiving an additional $33,000 as the recipient of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Award.
Last year’s award winner, Dr Leah Bradbury, is improving animal welfare by evaluating the use of Carprofen as a drug for pain management among adult sheep, with a view to developing a single, sustained release of the drug that will provide long-term pain relief.
Other winning projects have focused on ways to model improvements in the productivity, viability and profitability of salt land pasture systems and the potential health benefits of abalone for use in nutraceutical products.
Winners can use their funding for a range of activities including research projects, industry visits or to attend conferences and workshops.
The Awards are sponsored by the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, Australian Pork Limited, Dairy Australia, Forest and Wood Products Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Grains Research and Development Corporation and Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Applications close on Friday, 7 January, 2011. For further information, read the Information for Applicants document, contact 02 6272 2260 or email.
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