AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (ACIAR)
ACIAR is a statutory authority within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio. As part of Australia’s aid program it assists Australian and developing country researchers, institutions and international research centres to develop solutions to agricultural problems in order to improve livelihoods through sustainable increases in agricultural productivity and enhanced natural resources management to the benefit of developing countries and Australia. Government appropriation for ACIAR in 2004-05 was $47.5m. The Centre focuses its research funding on the Asia-Pacific region and also supports international agricultural research centres.
In 2004-05 ACIAR funded 227 research projects. The Centre also supported 52 Fellowships allowing students from developing countries to study for postgraduate qualifications in Australia. Thirteen training courses were held for scientists involved in ACIAR-supported research.
Further information can be obtained from the ACIAR web site, <http://www.aciar.gov.au>. The site allows visitors to search for project information by country, or by research discipline and to find out about ACIAR activities.