About our Postgraduate Professional Development Program

updated 20th December 2009

Membership

There are two ways that you can become a member of the FFI CRC postgraduate professional development program. The first way is to apply for, and be successful in receiving, a scholarship from the CRC. The second way is to apply to become an Associate student of the program. If you are currently undertaking a PhD and believe your PhD project has aims consistant with the CRC's aims and objectives you can apply to become an associate member of the program. Provided your project is endorsed by the relevant Research Program leader you will be iinvited to join our group. Associate members have exactly the same entitlements as scholarship holders (outlined below) in this program.

Activities

A CRC scholarship is more than just an attractive stipend and operating allowance. The FFI CRC has a comprehensive professional development program that provides our postgraduates to a range of additional benefits: leadership training, internships, fully supported annual postgraduate meetings as well as access to travel assistance to attend events around the world to showcase CRC work.

There are four key activity areas in the program.

Recruiting

General recruiting activities will be complemented by targeted recruiting for specific projects identified by Program teams. PhD researchers will, where possible, be embedded in larger project teams to develop teamwork and communication skills. (see our Scholarship page for more details)

Networking

Annual meetings are critical for establishing 'connections' among the postgraduate group, exposing them to FFI research occuring outside the their own discipline area and providing opportunities to engage with senior CRC key researchers. Meetings will be planned to maximise opportunities to engage scientists not only within, but outside the CRC and timed, where possible, to coincide with other planned CRC activities. The location of these events will vary from year to year depending on logistical opportunities.

Participation in training activities

The provision of training opportunities will assist postgraduates in preparation for employment beyond their involvement with the CRC. Workshop activities have included media skills, scientific writing courses, leadership, communication skills, powerpoint anarchy, getting published, intellectual property, future farm business and statistics courses. Applications are also accepted on an individual basis for other short courses that can be demonstrated to be of benefit to the postgraduate.

You can apply to complete a short course using the application for Conference travel/Workshop grant

 In addition to a workshop for all students at the annual postgradute meeting, one workshop will be held at each of the four universities throughout the year. 

Access to travel awards

There will be provision for assistance for postgraduates to attend international and national conferences to present work as representatives of the CRC. International awards are up to $2500 while awards for National events are up to $1500.

Applications for these awards are accepted at any time.

Click here to download an application form.