Primary Industries AgTech PhD Scholarship

PIRSA

The Primary Industries AgTech PhD Scholarship is funded by a new partnership between the Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) and UoA to support a full time PhD student who is undertaking research in a topic that will aid or improve primary industry production or profitability through the application of technology.

About the scholarship

The new partnership between State Government and the University of Adelaide is bearing fruit of a hi-tech nature, with AgTech the focus of this new PhD scholarship.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the scholarship was a move in the right direction to support growth through R&D in South Australia’s primary industries, encouraging more students to consider AgTech as a line of research and future career opportunity.

“Now open for expressions of interest, the Primary Industries AgTech Post Graduate Scholarship supports the practical application and adoption of AgTech,” said Minister Whetstone. “A collaboration between Primary Industries and Regions SA’s research division the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and the University of Adelaide, the scholarship aims to support research in digitally enhanced agricultural solutions."

“Two key research institutions, PIRSA-SARDI and the University of Adelaide, coming together for this opportunity shows South Australia’s strength and leadership in encouraging future generations to be involved in AgTech. The State Government is proud to fund such a relevant and exciting opportunity to build on AgTech research in our state. The recently-announced partnership between PIRSA and the University of Adelaide underlines both organisations’ strong commitment to fostering greater investment into South Australia and delivering economic benefits to the state’s primary industries."

“The State Government’s newly formed AgTech Advisory Group also aims to encourage practical application and greater adoption of AgTech solutions in our agriculture sector.”

University of Adelaide Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Operations) and Dean of Graduate Studies, Professor Michael Liebelt, said the new scholarship was a great opportunity to advance innovation in AgTech. “Agriculture is becoming an increasingly sophisticated industry and meeting its challenges will require innovative solutions,” said Professor Liebelt. “One of the great benefits of the new PIRSA-SARDI partnership with the University of Adelaide is the ability to work across traditional boundaries to bring new technologies into agriculture – embracing the University’s expertise in areas such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, machine learning and artificial intelligence to solve the problems of agriculture for our future.

“This is very much in keeping with our new strategic plan, Future Making, which aligns us with state and industry need making agrifood and wine one of our key strategic industry engagement priorities.”

How to apply

Applicants must be Australian Citizens or permanent residents of Australia/International students who are acceptable as candidates for a PhD/Master by Research degree at the University of Adelaide.

Applications close Wednesday 20 November.

Click here to find out more and apply

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