Pacific Agriculture Scholarships, Support and Climate Resilience Program (PASS-CR)
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The PASS-CR program supports Pacific universities to develop a new generation of Pacific agricultural researchers
A part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Step-up Strategy, the PASS-CR program works with Pacific universities and their regional partners to foster thriving agricultural research education and innovation systems across the region.
The program builds on the strengths of our partners to enhance research capacity and knowledge of Pacific agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It invests in students, academics, and institutions, equipping them to address the challenges facing Pacific agriculture now, and into the future.
Investing in Future Leaders
Since 2008, ACIAR Pacific scholarships have funded postgraduate students in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries at the University of the South Pacific (USP).
In 2020, the program expanded to include Fiji National University (FNU), University of Technology in PNG along with the Pacific agricultural sector more broadly.
The scholarships support Masters’ and PhD students to conduct research within an active or upcoming ACIAR project in the region. Scholarship applications will reopen in mid 2023.
Supporting Pacific Agricultural Innovation
The PASS-CR program is focused on developing a thriving agricultural research education system that can sustain the careers of Pacific researchers and promote best agricultural practices in the region over the long term.
Through their alignment to ACIAR research projects Pacific scholars, their academic supervisors and universities are linked with one another and with Australia’s agricultural innovation system, to create strong networks that can respond to regional challenges.
To enhance the scholarship experiences, PASS-CR delivers a range of services and activities, including:
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Monthly Research Seminars and skill development sessions through Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research membership
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Access to academic journals through UniSC Library, CABI abstracts, PAIS
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Student work experience through the Job Ready program
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Professional development opportunities for academic supervisors and research managers
Strengthening Pacific Climate Resilience
In 2022, the PASS-CR program expanded to include a dedicated focus on climate resilience through the establishment of the Climate Change and Food Systems Research Innovation Facility and Future Thinkers’ Awards. These initiatives help to further enhance the climate change education opportunities available to Pacific agricultural researchers.
The Future Thinkers’ Awards offers enrolled PASS-CR scholars or supervisors the chance to expand their research to include a focus on climate change, and to link their thesis research with leading international academics and Pacific centres of excellence for climate resilience research.
Applications for the Future Thinkers’ Awards will reopen in 2023.
Program Partners
The PASS-CR program is delivered by the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research at the University of the Sunshine Coast in partnership with the University of Southern Queensland, Central Queensland University, the University of the South Pacific and Fiji National University. For more information, visit: www.passcrprogram.com