Science and Innovation Awards - Western Australians have two weeks left to apply

4 June 2007

Science and Innovation Awards – two weeks to apply

Young Western Australians with ideas for projects that could benefit Australia’s rural industries, have less than two weeks to apply for up to $10,000 under a national awards program.

Dr Colin Grant, Bureau of Rural Sciences Executive Director encouraged young people from Western Australia (WA) aged 18 to 35 to apply for the seventh annual 2007 DAFF Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry by 15 June.

“Over the seven years the Awards have been running, 100 young people have carried out innovative scientific projects that have benefited our rural industries – including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, natural resource management and food projects,” Dr Grant said.

This year there are 18 Awards on offer; ten sponsored by specific industries and one from each state and territory.

Last year, Ms Megan Chadwick from WA, was the Land & Water Australia sponsored winner. Ms Chadwick used her Award to investigate whether lambs from ewes on a diet high in salt during pregnancy gain more weight, produce more wool or have better meat quality when grazing on saltbush than normal sheep. “Ms Chadwick’s research will investigate whether the natural adaptation mechanisms of animals allows them to better cope with saltbush. If this is the case, there is a possibility that the offspring from ewes grazing saltbush will be better able to cope with the high salt content,” Dr Grant said.

“Winners receive national recognition and industry and media exposure that can boost their career, giving them the start they’ve been looking for.”

All eligible young Australians are encouraged to apply.

The Awards are coordinated by the Bureau of Rural Sciences on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. It is the only awards program specifically targeted at young people in rural industries.

The awards are sponsored by the rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) including Australian Pork Ltd, Cotton RDC, Fisheries RDC, Forest & Wood Products RDC, Grains RDC, Grape & Wine RDC, Land & Water Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia, the Rural Industries RDC and Sugar RDC.

Applications close on Friday 15 June 2007 and can be lodged online at www.daff.gov.au/scienceawards.

More information: DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232