Nuffield International Farming Scholarships

Charity Number: 1169043

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £480,000 (based on ~20 UK scholars at £24,000 each)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (July application to October/November announcement)
  • Grant Range: £6,000 - £24,000+
  • Geographic Focus: UK-based applicants (part of global Nuffield network)
  • Annual Awards: Approximately 20 scholarships per year

Contact Details

Website: www.nuffieldinternational.org / www.nuffieldscholar.org

Email: director@nuffieldscholar.org / charlotte@nuffieldscholar.org

Phone: 01460 234012

Pre-application Support: Regional Representatives available to all applicants; Charlotte Merson supports potential scholars through application process

Overview

Established in 1947, Nuffield International Farming Scholarships (Charity Number 1169043) is part of a global network that has awarded over 1,100 scholarships to agricultural professionals. The charity's mission is to “inspire passion in people and develop their potential to lead positive change in farming and food.” With net assets of approximately £3.2 million, the Trust awards around 20 scholarships annually to individuals in farming, horticulture, forestry, and rural industries. The programme focuses on developing future agricultural leaders through global travel and research, with scholars conducting independent studies on topics they are passionate about. In 2024, the Trust announced its largest ever cohort of 23 scholars, followed by 24 in 2025, studying topics ranging from tea production and goat dairying to artificial intelligence in agriculture.

Funding Priorities

Scholarship Programs

Nuffield Farming Scholarship (Standard Programme)

  • Value: In excess of £24,000 per scholar
  • Breakdown:
  • £8,500 study tour bursary for travel and subsistence
  • Professional development including conference attendance, industry leaders seminar, international contemporary scholars conference, and training in presentation, media, and report writing
  • Requirements: Minimum 8 weeks international travel to research chosen study topic
  • Application: Rolling basis with annual deadline of 31st July; applications open in January

Next-Gen Scholarships (Ages 18-24)

  • Value: £6,000 plus £1,000 replacement labour incentive
  • Focus Areas: Dairy (3 scholarships) and Regenerative Agriculture/Poultry (3 scholarships)
  • Application: Separate application process; interviews in early February, recipients announced end of February

Priority Areas

Nuffield supports agricultural professionals working across:

  • Farming and primary production
  • Horticulture and viticulture
  • Forestry
  • Aquaculture
  • Rural services and enterprise
  • Food and agricultural technology
  • Sustainable and regenerative agriculture

Recent scholarship topics demonstrate the breadth of focus: nut production, tea cultivation, cider production, goat dairying, artificial intelligence applications, soil conservation, water efficiency, multi-generational farm transitions, and workforce challenges.

What They Don't Fund

  • Full-time students currently in education
  • Pure research projects (scholarships are for personal and professional development, not academic research)
  • Individuals outside the age ranges (under 25 or over 45 for standard programme; outside 18-24 for Next-Gen)
  • Non-UK residents without direct connection to UK agriculture
  • Applications from individuals not established in their agricultural career (must be 3+ years post tertiary education)
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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 13 trustees, chaired by Christoph Gevehard Graf Grote (appointed March 2021). Trustee Thomas Gary Rawson also serves as a trustee of The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, demonstrating connections within the agricultural charity sector.

Key Staff:

  • Mike Vacher: Director of Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust (5+ years in role)
  • Charlotte Merson: Supports scholars, alumni, and regional groups; primary contact for applicants (charlotte@nuffieldscholar.org, 01460 234012)

The Trust operates with a Selection Committee responsible for reviewing applications and selecting scholars each year.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online portal on the Nuffield Farming Scholarships website.

Application Timeline:

  • January: Applications open
  • 31st July: Application deadline (for both application form and both references)
  • Early September: Selection Committee reviews and shortlists candidates; all applicants notified
  • Mid-September: Pre-interviews with Regional Representatives
  • Early October: Final interviews conducted in London over three days
  • Late October: New scholars announced on website and in media
  • Late November: Official award ceremony at Annual Nuffield Farming Conference

Application Requirements:

  • Completed online application form
  • Two references (applicants must forward reference link to referees with sufficient time)
  • Clear articulation of proposed study topic and rationale
  • Demonstration of leadership potential and industry passion

Support Available:

  • Regional Representative assigned after application starts
  • Mock interviews offered to shortlisted candidates
  • Ongoing guidance from Charlotte Merson and the Nuffield office
  • Prospective scholars encouraged to contact current scholars in their locality

Decision Timeline

The process takes approximately 3-4 months from application deadline to final decision:

  • Applications close: 31st July
  • Shortlisting: Early September
  • Pre-interviews: Mid-September
  • Final interviews: Early October
  • Announcement: Late October
  • Official award: Late November

All applicants receive written notification of their outcome.

Success Rates

Approximately 20 scholarships are awarded annually from an undisclosed number of applications. In 2024, the Trust awarded 23 scholarships (the largest cohort to date), and in 2025, 24 scholarships were awarded. Success rates are not publicly disclosed, but the programme is described as competitive, with a rigorous selection process including application review, pre-interviews, and final interviews.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Nuffield office directly with questions about reapplication eligibility.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated selection criteria and guidance:

What Nuffield Looks For:

  1. Leadership Potential: The Trust explicitly states that “scholars are selected annually on merit for their commitment and passion about primary production and are at the leading edge of technology uptake.” They seek individuals with “good communications skills” who are “enthusiastic about future developments in the agriculture and rural sectors and clearly demonstrate leadership potential.”
  1. Passion Over Qualifications: “Applicants do not need academic qualifications, but need to persuade selectors they have the necessary qualities to make best use of the opportunity.” The Trust “seeks people with very special qualities” - focus is on commitment, passion, and potential rather than formal education.
  1. Career Establishment: Candidates should be “well established in their career” and demonstrate “strong potential for strategic impact” with a commitment to “continuous leadership in the Food and Fibre sector and/or rural community.”
  1. Study Topic Quality: Recent winning topics show diversity and relevance to contemporary agricultural challenges - from traditional topics (nut production, goat dairying) to cutting-edge areas (artificial intelligence, regenerative agriculture, circular economy innovations).

Strategic Tips:

  • Engage Early: Regional Representatives will contact you after starting your application - take full advantage of their support and advice throughout the process
  • Connect with Alumni: The Trust explicitly encourages prospective scholars to “get in contact with a scholar in their locality to prepare themselves for the application and interview process”
  • Demonstrate Impact: Show how your proposed study will contribute to positive change in agriculture and how you'll share findings upon return
  • Be Authentic: The selection committee values passion and potential over credentials - focus on your commitment to agricultural advancement
  • Prepare Thoroughly: Mock interviews are offered to shortlisted candidates - use this opportunity to refine your presentation
  • Plan References Strategically: References must be submitted by the same deadline - choose referees who can speak to your leadership potential and industry commitment

Recent Scholarship Examples:

  • 2025: Nut production, propagation, processing and marketing in the UK
  • 2024: Tea production, goat dairying, cider production, artificial intelligence applications
  • 2024 International: Regenerative agriculture, soil conservation, dry farmed viticulture, AI in livestock, water efficiency, multi-generational farm transitions, food waste reduction

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Leadership-focused, not academic: Nuffield values demonstrated passion, commitment, and leadership potential over formal qualifications - emphasize your vision for agricultural change rather than credentials
  • Support is extensive: Take full advantage of Regional Representatives, mock interviews, and alumni connections - the Trust actively wants to help you succeed
  • Global learning, local impact: Your study topic should demonstrate how international research will bring positive change back to UK agriculture
  • Act early: Applications open in January with a July deadline - start early to secure references and get support from Regional Representatives
  • Prepare for multiple stages: The selection process includes application review, pre-interviews, and final interviews - each stage requires thorough preparation
  • Diverse topics welcomed: Recent scholars have studied everything from traditional farming practices to AI and technology - innovation and relevance matter more than conformity
  • Network strategically: The programme emphasizes networking and relationship-building - demonstrate how you'll contribute to and benefit from the global Nuffield community

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References