Scholarships and grants under the Agricultural Products Scholarship and Marine Fish Scholarship Funds are now open for application. The deadline for tertiary education scholarships for the coming academic year is July 18, while that for secondary education is August 19.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department today said the funds, set up in 1978 and administered by the two scholarship fund advisory committees, served to help those who wanted to pursue a career in local agricultural and fisheries industries or related trades upon completion of their studies.

Those who are employed in the field and want to take further training may also apply, the department said.

The award for tertiary education is tenable for a full-time degree or sub-degree at nine local tertiary institutions funded by the University Grants Committee, the Open University of Hong Kong and other overseas institutions recognised by the scheme.

Applicants may apply for courses in agriculture, veterinary science, horticulture, agronomy, international agribusiness management, fisheries science, marine biology, fisheries technology or other applied science subjects directly related to local agricultural and fisheries industries or related trades.

Form 4 to 7 students, whose families are related to agricultural and fisheries production or marketing in Hong Kong, may apply for the scholarships for secondary education.

All applicants should have the right of abode, or have resided in Hong Kong continuously for three years immediately prior to the start of the course applied for.

Application forms are available here, and at the department's headquarters, 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.