QAAFI EMCR Travel Grant

QAAFI EMCR Travel Grant 2024

Click here to Apply now

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) EMCR travel grant provides funding to enable QAAFI and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) EMCRs to attend an event, industry meetings, industry conferences or any activity that will support skill development, future research opportunities and career advancement. As the primary purpose of the grants is to build and strengthen the connections of EMCRs with industries, industry-related events will be considered more favourably over attendance to scientific conferences. Domestic travels will be prioritised.

QAAFI-DAF EMCR committee invites applications from early- and mid-career research (EMCRs) to access travel grants valued up to $2,000 each. It is expected that at least 10 travel grants will be awarded in this round.

Important Dates

1. Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to apply for a QAAFI EMCR Travel Grant, researchers must meet all the requirements below.

1.1 Employment status:
Applicants must be employed at QAAFI at the University of Queensland or the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 

1.2 Career stage:
Applicants must be academic levels A and B for QAAFI researchers, or TO2-4 and PO2-4 for DAF researchers whose research demonstrates QAAFI-DAF partnerships.

1.3 Supervisor support:
Endorsement from applicant’s supervisor.

2. Selection Criteria

Percentages provided in brackets refer to the weight given by each criterion for the ranking.

2.1 Research excellence (max. 100 words) - (25%)

• Quality of research: Demonstrated high quality and impactful research through publications, citations, and awards.
• Innovation: Evidence of innovative approaches in their respective research field (e.g. media release, magazine articles and participation in podcasts).

2.2 Purpose of travel (max. 100 words) - (25%)

• Participation in industry related events such as meetings, industry field days or site visits.  
• Collaboration: Engage with leading experts or institutions and industry partners that will support future research opportunities or career development. 
• Professional development: Attend workshops, trainings, or courses that enhances research skills.

2.3 Impact and benefits (max. 100 words) - (30%)

• Research advancement: Describe the potential for the travel to advance the applicant’s research and career.
• Knowledge transfer: Opportunities to bring back new knowledge and techniques to UQ/DAF.
• Networking: Demonstrate potential for networking opportunities that benefit the applicant and QAAFI/DAF.
• Alignment with institution goals: Applicant's research and travel must align with the strategic priorities of QAAFI and University of Queensland and DAF.

2.4 Funding justification (max. 100 words) - (20%)

• Budget detail: Detailed and justified budget for travel expenses up to $2,000.00, demonstrating value for money. The attached budget template can be used as a guide.
  
  As attending scientific conferences is not prioritised, this funding should not be used to cover conference registration fees but will cover value additions to conferences such as workshops and field days.
   
• Additional funding: Applicants must ensure they have available funds to pay for any shortfall if the total travel budget exceeds the award amount.

2.5 Supervisor’s endorsement statement (max. 100 words).

3. Reporting requirements

Successful applicants will be required to submit a report up to one month after attending the activity to provide feedback on how the grant enabled their engagement and participation.  Awardees will be asked to provide photos and a short description of the activity for publication in QAAFI break.

4. Terms of award: Acceptance of the conditions is required at the time of application submission

Funding can only be used to cover expenses approved in the application.

Awardees must notify QAAFI EMCR committee if there is a change of circumstances that will prevent them from attending the event and the award will need to be returned.

Researchers who have previously received this travel award are ineligible.

Funds need to be utilised prior to 31 December 2025.

How to apply?

Please submit the below required documents through this form.

• 2-page CV
• A document addressing the section criteria
• Travel budget

Please note required documents must be submitted as one file.

Contact: If you require any assistance, please contact the QAAFI EMCR committee travel grant team.

Dr Lilia Carvalhais (l.carvalhais@uq.edu.au), Dr Nga Tran (n.tran3@uq.edu.au), and Dr Geetika Geetika (g.geetika@uq.edu.au).