The Pacific Agriculture Scholarships and Support and Climate Resilience (PASS-CR) Program provides scholarships and support to postgraduate students in agriculture, forestry and fisheries at The University of the South Pacific (USP) and Fiji National University (FNU). Since 2005, ACIAR has supported research scholarships at Pacific Universities. The scholarship program has achieved significant results, strengthening agricultural innovation systems in the Pacific. It is part of the Australian Government’s support to our Pacific neighbours.
ACIAR Pacific postgraduate scholarships are offered in the Pacific, to Pacific Islanders. This enables scholars to research agricultural problems within the context that the solutions need to work, to build professional networks which will be relevant post-study and to remain close to family and culture.
The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) provides additional academic support to PASS-CR scholars and academic staff including professional development, access to the UniSC library, peer-to-peer learning, research collaboration, and higher degree research supervision training. Student work placements and career development are included under PASS-CR to build ongoing industry connections.
Scholarship Program Outline
Scholarships are available at USP and FNU for:
- USP - PhD and Masters by research
- FNU - PhD including for FNU faculty, Masters by Research or Masters by Coursework (with a thesis component)
Scholarships will be awarded for up to 2 years for Master’s students and up to 3 years for a PhD candidate.
Tuition is paid directly for the relevant program of study. Student research grant costs are shared between ACIAR and USP or FNU. Funds to present research results at an international conference are included in the scholarship.
Scholarships are aligned to ACIAR research projects, this includes the provision of an international co-supervisor who is part of the ACIAR project. A list of projects and research topics for the 2024 PASS-CR Program can be found on the USP and FNU websites (details below).
Scholarships are advertised annually in July through USP and FNU for commencement the following year. Online briefing sessions about the program, how to apply, meet the project leaders and how to put together a research proposal will be held to support you through the application process.
Scholarship Timelines
- Applications Open – Friday 21 July 2023
- Zoom Q&A Session – 11am FJT, Friday 28 July 2023
- Meet the Project Leader Sessions – 12pm FJT, Friday 11 August 2023
- Research Proposal Development training – 12pm FJT, Friday 25 August 2023
- Applications Close – 5pm FJT, Wednesday 18 October 2023
- Applicants advised of outcome – late November/early December 2023
- Applicants must be a citizen of and currently reside in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu
- Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for postgraduate study at USP or FNU
- Applications must be aligned to active or upcoming ACIAR research projects and must address a nominated thesis research question from the supplied list
- Applicants must be able to meet government and university mandated requirements for travel to Fiji for study at FNU or USP Laucala, or Samoa for study at USP Alafua.