Applications for the annual award, which was established by a private donation by John B. Fairfax and managed by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation in collaboration with Rural Press Agricultural Publishing, will close on Wednesday, October 15.

The award aims to foster quality coverage of rural and regional affairs by Australian journalists by encouraging undergraduate or postgraduate students of studies relevant to rural affairs to consider a career in rural journalism on graduation.

The winner will receive $10,000 to help pay the costs of his or her education.

Applicants for the award must submit a feature article of up to 1500 words exploring a contemporary issue, trend or activity of interest to rural and regional communities that is of publication standard and also demonstrates an active interest in rural affairs and a commitment to pursuing a career in rural journalism.

The winner's article will be published in a major Rural Press publication after the award is announced next February.

This year's judging panel will include Professor Stephen Tanner, head of the school of journalism and creative writing at the University of Wollongong.

He has wide expereince in journalism, public relations and academia including working as the press secretary for the then Tasmanian Oppostion leader, Robin Gray, from 1984-89 and a stint on the Launceston Examiner newpaper in the early 1980s.

Short-listed applicants will be interviewed in early November 2008 with the winner announced in February and invited to attend a presentation ceremony at the Sydney Royal Easter Show next March.

For more information contact the RAS Foundation on (02) 9704 1234 or by email at foundation@rasf.or.au. Application forms can be downloaded at www.rasf.org.au