Young Australians aged 18 to 35 years who work or study in primary industries can apply for the 2009 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry by 30 June.

Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, said the awards were an important platform to encourage innovation in young Australians.

"Australia is successful in agriculture because we farm smarter than the rest of the world – innovation keeps us in front of our competitors," Mr Burke said.

"Research and innovation are critical to the Rudd Government’s plans to make our primary industries more productive and sustainable.

"These awards are a great opportunity for young scientists and innovators to boost our rural industries by helping them convert their ideas into reality."

Last year’s winner of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Award, Dr Nicholas Hudson, aims to make Australian beef more globally competitive and help tackle climate change by reducing methane emissions through his research into improving cattle feed efficiency.

Other winners included projects to model the impacts of climate change on irrigated agriculture, producing renewable electricity from winery waste and pain relief treatments for cattle dehorning.

This year, 12 winners will receive up to $20,000 each to undertake a project to explore an emerging scientific issue or innovative activity over a 12 month period.

One winner will also receive an additional $30,000 as the recipient of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Award, making the premier prize a total of up to $50,000.

Winners can use their funding for a range of activities including research projects, industry visits or attending conferences.

Application forms are available at the DAF F website.