Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has announced funding for up to two international collaborative research projects in 2009 for Australian forest and wood product scientists, through its annual Denis Cullity Fellowship programme.
Applications for these fellowships are now open for projects of three to six month’s duration at an international research facility. FWPA Managing Director, Ric Sinclair said the Cullity Fellowship programme supported the ongoing professional development of chief Australian forest and wood product scientists.
“FWPA’s support of this program reflects the company’s strong commitment to the development of research skills and knowledge which will provide ongoing benefit to our industry,” Ric Sinclair said.
“It targets our current industry research skills base to provide Australian scientists with access to cutting edge international research and technology.”
Previous Cullity Fellows have collaborated with research centres in France, the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Canada, where significant advanced forestry and wood product research is being undertaken.
Technologies studied have covered accelerating the adoption of advantageous plant genetics, advanced adhesive systems for engineered wood products, plant breeding characteristics to prevent wildlife grazing and advanced mathematical modelling of timber drying processes to improve yields and reduce energy consumption.
The Denis Cullity Fellowships were established by FWPA’s predecessor organisation, the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation in 2000, in honour of the corporation’s inaugural chairman Denis M. Cullity CMG AO.
Two fellowships are available to high-calibre Australian scientists or engineers working in areas directly related to the forest and wood products industry.
Fellowships will be announced in October 2008, although FWPA reserves the right not to award fellowships, if applications do meet the programme criteria.
Applicants should be actively engaged in a collaborative research project that increases his or her skills and capability, or provides direct benefit to the science and technology base of the Australian forest and wood product industry. Fellowships do not support postgraduate study.
FWPA intends publish the results of the 2009 Fellowship research projects as part of its ongoing commitment to advance the forest and wood products industry through the communication of research and development outcomes.
Applications should be submitted to FWPA with a C.V. and a detailed outline of the proposed research project including budget. Selection is through an FWPA selection committee. Applications close on 31 August 2008.