Education and Training Opportunities

Call for Applications for Education Awards [NOW CLOSED]

In keeping with its commitment to enhance the overall human capacity base for science, innovation and training in the Australian pork industry, APRIL is currently seeking applications to support its education program, including opportunities within the CRC-Project (CRC-P), Eliminating Pig Tail Removal to Improve Welfare and Industry Sustainability.

APRIL offers a number of different opportunities for current and prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students/potential students, as follows:

  1. Scholarship Awards for Honours students.
  2. ‘Top-ups’ for postgraduate research students (PhD, MS/MSc/MPhil) in an APRIL-funded research project (or related).
  3. Support for DVM/undergraduate Veterinary Science projects.
  4. Support for MS/MSc/MPhil students, where a research project is an incorporated component of the program of study, in an APRIL-funded research project (or related).
  5. Part-support for PhD students.

Eligibility varies according to the different scheme being applied for. Ensure that the Guidelines associated with each opportunity are read thoroughly before submitting an application. Information concerning the different education opportunities from APRIL, including Guidelines and Application forms, can be found below.

Completed applications should be lodged electronically by the closing date to the APRIL Manager, Commercialisation and Research Impact, Dr Charles Rikard-Bell (c.rikardbell@april.org.au). Any questions on the awards/process can be directed to either Dr Charles Rikard-Bell or APRIL Chief Scientist/CEO, Dr John Pluske (j.pluske@april.org.au).

Furthermore, a project consortium led by SunPork Pty Ltd. and involving APRIL is interested in hearing from potential research students wishing to be involved in a current 3-year CRC-Project (CRC-P), Eliminating Pig Tail Removal to Improve Welfare and Industry Sustainability. The overall aim of this research project is to provide information to enable pork producers to make objective decisions with confidence as to whether they can raise pigs with intact tails.

A number of different opportunities exist for undergraduate and postgraduate students/potential students interested in pursuing this opportunity, as follows:

  1. Scholarship Awards for Honours students.
  2. Support for DVM/undergraduate Veterinary Science projects.
  3. Support for MS/MSc/MPhil students, where a research project is an incorporated component of the program of study.

Eligibility varies according to the different scheme being applied for. Ensure that the Guidelines associated with each opportunity are read thoroughly before submitting an application. Information concerning the different education opportunities from APRIL, including Guidelines and Application forms, can be found below.

If applying for an award associated with this CRC-P, please mention this in the application.

The APRIL Education Advisory Committee will assess all applications. APRIL will determine the number of, and the amount of, any grant awarded. Funding Rules stipulate that no overhead (indirect cost recovery) can be charged. Awards are conducted under the Terms and Conditions of the APRIL Scholarship Agreement, that can be viewed here: (new URL to go here).

Completed applications should be lodged electronically by the closing date to the APRIL Manager, Commercialisation and Research Impact, Dr Charles Rikard-Bell (c.rikardbell@april.org.au). Any questions on the awards/process can be directed to either Dr Charles Rikard-Bell or APRIL Chief Scientist/CEO, Dr John Pluske (j.pluske@april.org.au).

Important dates (all applications):

Applications open: 20 November 2023.

Applications close: 26 January 2024.

Call for applications for Industry Placement Program [NOW CLOSED]

APRIL is pleased to announce a call for applications for its Industry Placement Program (IPP) Award.

As part of its Education and Training program, APRIL is continuing to assist with human capacity building in the Australian pork industry through the IPP Award scheme. A successful business applicant will receive $75,000 over the first 2 years of a 3-year agreement with APRIL to help cover salary and other costs associated with training an Awardee for the 3 years. The overall aims of the IPP scheme are to:

1. To retain graduates trained by APRIL, the Pork CRC, APL, and (or) other relevant organisations, at the Honours and (or) postgraduate level, and attract others, by sponsoring their placement in a commercial pork production organisation or an affiliated business strongly aligned to pork production, in a structured and enhanced development program. 

2. To attract and stimulate graduates into the industry with a career interest in pork production, while continuing their development and understanding of how research and development, education and training, technology, and extension/adoption can enhance industry competitiveness and success. 

Further information on the Award and the IPP application form can be found below.

The APRIL Education Advisory Committee will assess all applications. APRIL will determine the number of, and the amount of, any grant awarded. Funding Rules stipulate that no overhead (indirect cost recovery) can be charged. Awards are conducted under the Terms and Conditions of the APRIL Scholarship Agreement, that can be viewed here: (new URL to go here).

Completed applications must be lodged electronically by the closing date (below) by the applying organisation, and include the name and qualifications of the proposed candidate, to the APRIL Manager, Commercialisation and Research Impact, Dr Charles Rikard-Bell (c.rikardbell@april.org.au). Any questions on the IPP Award/process can be directed to either Dr Charles Rikard-Bell or APRIL Chief Scientist/CEO, Dr John Pluske (j.pluske@april.org.au).

Important dates:

Applications open: 20 November 2023.
Applications close: 26 January 2024.