Australian Center for International Agricultural Research

Grants for agricultural research, capacity building, and diffusion of agricultural technologies in the developing world

Principal Office: Australia

The Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) operates as part of Australia’s international development cooperation. ACIAR promotes and finances collaborative research between Australian and developing-country researchers in disciplines of agriculture and natural resources.

ACIAR does not undertake Research and Development (R&D) itself. It plans, funds, and manages R&D projects carried out by Australian public-sector organizations, NGOs, and private-sector groups in partnership with counterparts in developing countries.

Grant Programs for Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources

ACIAR’s mandate includes research, capacity building, and outreach. These are not programs so much as functional categories, as follows.

1 – Research. ACIAR’s research program is a cluster of scientific disciplines focused around economics and social sciences; agricultural crops; livestock and fisheries; and natural resource management.

Grants generally range from A$50 thousand to more than A$1 million for research projects of 1-5 years.

Most grants are to Australian organizations which collaborate with other institutions in Australia and in partner developing countries via consortium arrangements.

APPLICATION: ACIAR welcomes ideas for new projects. Initial project ideas should be addressed to ACIAR’s relevant research program managers. The names and contact information of the program managers are posted on the website.

Suggestions for projects may be submitted by individuals, research institutions, and government organizations in the developing countries where ACIAR is active, and/or in Australia. Ideas for projects should adhere to the priorities by region/country.

ACIAR posts guidelines and templates for project proposals, project budgets, and project reporting. Proposals are invited throughout the year.

About research, and how to submit proposals

2 — Fellowships. ACIAR funds post-graduate fellowships for agricultural scientists in ACIAR’s partner countries.

The John Dillon Fellowship aims to develop leadership skills in agricultural research management, agricultural policy, and/or extension technologies by exposing agricultural scientists in ACIAR’s partner countries to professionals and practices in Australia.
The Meryl Williams Fellowship supports women in agricultural research for development to enhance their leadership skills and increase their impact.

APPLICATION: ACIAR posts guidelines and application forms for the John Dillon Fellowship and the Meryl Williams Fellowship. Applications need to be submitted before an annual deadline, which is different in each program.

→ About fellowships, and how to apply

3 — Scholarships. ACIAR aims to build the capacity of individuals in developing countries to undertake post-graduate studies in Australia or in the Pacific.

The John Allwright Fellowship supports individuals in ACIAR’s partner countries for post-graduate studies in Australia.
The Pacific Scholarship Program supports emerging agricultural scientists through scholarships at Fiji National University and the University of the South Pacific.

APPLICATION: ACIAR posts guidelines and application forms for the John Allwright Fellowship and the Pacific Scholarship Program. Applications need to be submitted before an annual deadline, which is different in each program.

→ About scholarships, and how to apply

4 — Launch Funding. ACIAR provides financial assistance to organizations or individuals wishing to conduct or attend events that directly benefit international agricultural research.

APPLICATION: Funding is allocated on a competitive basis against specified criteria. Applicants should contact the ACIAR Research Program Manager (RPM) relevant to the theme of the event before submitting a formal application.

→ About launch funding, and how to apply

Geographical Distribution of Grant Activities in Developing Countries

ACIAR’s priority countries are identified below, applying the regional geographical framework of the Terra Viva Grants Directory.

Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands: Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam

East Asia: China, Mongolia

South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan

Eurasia and Central Asia: Afghanistan

Sub-Saharan Africa: Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Note: ACIAR also funds global and multi-lateral projects, including many through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

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Last Profile Review

October 2021