Research
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

ACIAR Pacific Agriculture Scholarship Support and Climate Resilience (PASS-CR) Program

Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Applications are invited for the PASS-CR Scholarship Program from suitably qualified early to mid-career academics seeking to undertake a Masters by Research Degree or PhD in Agriculture at the University of the South Pacific (USP).

Applications will open on Friday 17 January 2025 and close on Friday 28 February 2025.

Scholarships are available from Semester 2, 2025. 

Scholarship

 Scholarship Benefits Research Topics

Scholarship program outline

All applicants can either pre-select a research topic and directly align their proposal with one of the listed topics or propose a unique research topic that aligns with one of the broader research themes provided. Applicants should prepare their research intent in consultation with the relevant USP supervisor and co-supervisor, and attach the following documentation with their completed application form.

Projects which consider other key areas of focus including gender, social systems, youth engagement, food systems, and climate adaptation will also be welcome. Funds to present research results at an international conference are included in the scholarship.

The Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR) at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), provides additional support to PASS-CR scholars and academic staff including professional development, peer-to-peer learning, research collaboration, and higher degree research supervision training. Student work placements and career development are included under the PASS-CR Program to build ongoing industry connections.

Scholarships are available from Semester 2 2025.

Scholarship Eligibility criteria

Note:
Please check your 200 level and 300 level GPA with the ACIAR Graduate Officer before applying for the scholarship.

  • Applicants to have a relevant Bachelor degree with a GPA of 4.0 or above (for students wishing to apply for Master’s degree after Bachelors), or a relevant Post Graduate Diploma & Bachelors with a GPA of 3.5 or over for both to be admitted into the Masters by Research Program
  • Applicants must be 35 years or below when applying for Masters and 45 years or below for PhD. Flexibilities on the age criteria will be considered under exceptional cases.
  • Applicants to have a relevant Bachelor degree with a GPA of 4.5, or a Master’s degree by research; or a master’s degree with 25% or more independent research and a mini-thesis (SRP) to be admitted to the PhD program.
  • Applications must be Pacific Island Country Nationals from ACIAR partner countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu)
  • Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for postgraduate study at USP
  • Applicants must be able to meet government and university mandated requirements for travel to Fiji/Samoa for study at USP, Laucala, or Samoa for study at USP, Alafua.

Scholarship Benefits

Scholarships will be awarded on an 18-month basis for Masters’ students and over 3 years for a PhD candidate.  Each successful recipient will be entitled to:

  • Full Tuition coverage for the relevant program of study;
  • Medical insurance (at prevailing rate);
  • Books Allowance (currently as a one-off payment);
  • Living Allowance for MSc (FJD$21, 450 p.a. for unaccompanied & FJD$32, 472 p.a. for accompanied);
  • Living Allowances for PhD (FJD$24, 000 p.a. for unaccompanied & FJD$34, 000 p.a. for accompanied); and
  • Establishment/ Relocation allowance (currently as a one-off payment, if applicable).

Allowances for students based at USP Samoa, are paid in local currency using the USP Exchange Rate.

A Research Grant of up to a maximum of FJD20,000 for Masters’ students and FJD45,000 for PhD students is available.

Research Topics

ACIAR and USP have worked together to identify key research topics relevant to the ACIAR project and USP’s research interests.

You can access and view the compendium of potential research topics

Next steps

Below is a summary guide to your application for the scholarship.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications, including the research intent, should be completed in consultation with the prospective supervisor at USP and corresponding ACIAR project leader or co-supervisor.

For further information about the ACIAR PASS-CR Program including how to apply and a list of potential projects and research topics please contact:

Mr Josevata Cava
ACIAR Graduate Officer
aciarga@usp.ac.fj

Application forms and details of the scholarship can be downloaded by clicking on the links below:

Zoom Q&A Session

For recordings on how to develop Research proposals, you can find this recording provided in our “How to Apply” page.

Applications Close: February 28th, 5pm FJT

How to Apply?

For more information, including application forms and research proposal templates, please contact:

The University of South Pacific

Mr Josevata Cava, ACIAR-USP Graduate Officer
Email: aciarga@usp.ac.fj

For further information about ACIAR’s Pacific work, please contact: 

Ms Mai Alagcan, Regional Manager Pacific and PNG, Suva, FIJI
Email: CountryPacific@aciar.gov.au