About
Donor: The Australian Center for International Agricultural Research
ACIAR is an Australian Government statutory authority that operates as part of Australia's Aid Program within the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It contributes to the aid program objectives of advancing Australia's national interest through poverty reduction and sustainable development.
From this year, the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, will be providing additional support to the scholarship scheme, through a twining arrangement with USP.
2017 scholarships are now being advertised. Details of the scholarship can be found here ACIAR-USP Scholarship conditions. Note that scholarship preference will be given to those who are eligible for direct entry into the Master's by research program at USP (i.e. student who has completed a USP PG diploma or equivalent with a GPA of 3.0)
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is an Australian government authority and forms part of Australia's international development cooperation program. ACIAR aims to enhance rural household incomes and broader economic growth by investing in international research partnerships that encourage agricultural development, sustainable use of natural resources and capacity building of benefit to partner countries and Australia.
The ACIAR Pacific Island Country strategy recognises the importance of the agricultural, fisheries, forestry and related sectors within these countries. It is committed to supporting research-and-development (R&D) and capacity building to address three main thrusts: improved food and nutritional security; integrated and sustainable management and development of agriculture, fisheries and forestry resources; and improved biosecurity and increased trade in agriculture, fisheries and forestry products. .
Aim
As part of this commitment to R&D capacity building, ACIAR, in partnership with USP, established the ACIAR-USP Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. Students in any discipline relating to a career in the above sectors (including economics, agricultural economics and agribusiness) are eligible to apply.
Under the ACIAR-USP scholarship scheme, up to 8 scholarship awards will be provided for postgraduate diploma or Masters degree study at USP for the academic year beginning in January 2017, each with field research to be carried out in association with an active ACIAR project under way in the Pacific. Preference will be given to students have completed their PG diploma and are eligible to enter a Master's by Research degree program at USP
There are several ACIAR projects active across the Pacific at any one time, so the ACIAR-USP scheme will provide a number of new opportunities for both students and staff to become involved in collaborative, problem-solving research. From 2016, The University of the Sunshine Coast will partner with USP to provide further support for scholarship students. will use the scholarship scheme to build new linkages between USP final-year students, USP staff and researchers working with ACIAR projects in the region.
HOW DO I APPLY?
All applicants are to fill in the forms listed below and send them in hard copy via registered mail to:
ACIAR Scholarship Officer, Research and Graduate Affairs
Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment
The University of the South Pacific
Private Mail Bag, Suva, FIJI
Electronic copies of applications will also be accepted if emailed to Mr. Viliamu Powell with the subject line "ACIAR Scholarships 2017". Applications are to ARRIVE NOT LATER THAN 15 October 2016.
FOR POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA STUDIES (please note that it is not necessary to send in a research proposal if you are applying for PG Diploma studies).
FOR MASTERS STUDIES
- USP APPLICATION FORM
- ACIAR - USP APPLICATION FORM
- ACIAR Pacific projects *Updated 02.08.2016
- ACIAR PROPOSAL TEMPLATE
Interested applicants should also attach the following supporting documents with their applications:
- Certified copy of degree, certificates and/or other tertiary qualifications
- Certified copy of University transcripts
- Reference letters
- Cover letter stating the reasons you wish to pursue the scholarship and why the applicant should be awarded the scholarship
For further information, contact:
Mr. Viliamu Powell
Graduate Assistant Officer,
Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment,
The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Islands
email: viliamu.powell(at)usp.ac.fj
Phone: (+679) 3232804
ACIAR-USP Scholarship Conditions
- Students must be citizens of one of the ACIAR partner countries in the Pacific, namely Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu (and normally resident in that country).
- It is a requirement of the awards that the student spend a substantial period working on research linked directly to an ACIAR project (currently 13 weeks for a Diploma candidate, 22 weeks for a Masters candidate, and two years for a PhD). A short proposal for this work forms an important part of the scholarship application. The scholarship is provided continuously throughout the enrolment period, including the time of field work. In addition, a grant will be provided to cover necessary research and travel expenses for the student and his/her USP-based supervisor, based on a detailed proposal prepared by the student in consultation with his/her supervisors.
- ACIAR is usually only able to support full-time study and to support field work related to the project as a means of obtaining practical work experience.
- Scholarships are normally awarded on a 12-month basis for postgraduate diploma students, an 18-month basis for Masters students and at least 3 years for PhD student, though additional courses may be required by the University (and the scholarship extended accordingly) depending on the academic record of the applicant. Extensions to the scholarship period and total grant awarded will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, demonstrably beyond the control of the student.
- Awards are in line with conditions for the USP Graduate Assistantship program, which currently includes (per 12 months): tuition (paid directly to the University at the applicable rate), a living allowance (currently FJD 10560/year, 12000/year married), book allowance (FJD 750/year), medical insurance, establishment allowance (currently FJD 250); allowances for students based at the School of Agriculture at Alafua Campus, Samoa, are paid in local currency at the prevailing rate of exchange. Some expenses may also be covered for travel needed between a student’s country of origin and location of study.
- As Graduate Assistants of the University, scholarship holders are expected to contribute (without additional payment) up to eight hours of work per week to the department hosting their research, normally in areas relating to their field of study, providing them with useful experience of university activities.
- For students already in employment, a letter confirming release of the applicant, if successful, from their respective employers is required.
- A senior ACIAR staff member or representative will visit USP to work in collaboration with USP staff on student selection and project matching.
- Successful candidates will, in normal circumstances, be expected to take up their place in the semester immediately following the award of a scholarship.
- Students receiving a scholarship must provide a progress report to ACIAR, via their university supervisor, at the end of each semester and are expected to participate in various workshops and seminars intended to further the aims of the scholarship scheme. The award may be terminated and all allowances forfeited if the student fails to maintain adequate progress in academic courses or project research.
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=gascholarship