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Eleven top-up scholarships are on offer to eligible students in Round 2 of the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC) scholarship program, in partnership with WAARC’s three university members: Curtin, Murdoch and The University of Western Australia.

Successful students will be awarded an annual top-up scholarship of about $25,000 for up to 3.5 years, to support their living expenses while completing their PhDs.

WAARC’s non-university members CSIRO, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Grower Group Alliance will provide access to leading industry researchers as possible co-supervisors, world-class research facilities, field sites, grower groups and industry networks.

“Our Postgraduate Research Scholarship Program provides more than financial support – it is an invaluable opportunity for student researchers to access mentors, networks, professional development and first-hand industry experience,” WAARC Director Kelly Pearce said.

“Scholarship recipients will become part of a multi-organisational network of talented WAARC researchers and students, completing industry-relevant projects that respond to emerging priorities and challenges within our State’s agrifood sector.”

Applicants do not need to be enrolled in a current PhD or have a base scholarship to apply for the WAARC top-up scholarships.

They will need to align their research projects with one or more of WAARC’s six key research programs:

  1. Northern Agriculture
  2. Grains Transformation
  3. Resilient Agricultural Futures
  4. Agricultural Technologies
  5. Aboriginal Science Engagement
  6. Capacity Building and Extension

For Round 2 only, applicants may also demonstrate their research project aligns with:

  1. Polyphagous Shot-hole Borer (PSHB) research
  2. Agrivoltaics research

Applications close Monday, 5 May 2025 at 5pm (AWST).

For more information and to apply, visit SmartyGrants.

The 2025 Round 2 Postgraduate Research Scholarship Program Guidelines for Applicants is available via the SmartyGrants link above, or you can read the document here: Round 2 WAARC PhD Scholarships – Guidelines for Applicants.

View the full media release here: Round 2 scholarships now open to inspire future ag leaders.

The State Government is providing $25 million dollars in funding to support WAARC and boost Western Australia’s research capacity and industry sustainability.

Please contact Capacity Building and Extension Program Lead Jenny Crisp via email if you have any questions about the Round 2 WAARC scholarships: jenny.crisp@dpird.wa.gov.au