A Nuffield Ireland Farming Scholarship is a leadership programme for people with a passion for advancing agriculture and rural communities.
Nuffield Ireland awards up to 6 scholarships per year. The scholarships encourage the development of people as future leaders in their industry and promotes international networking with excellent people in agriculture.
What are the benefits of becoming a Nuffield Scholar?
Who are Nuffield looking for?
What is involved?
To find out more, watch the following Information Evening about Nuffield Ireland Scholarship Programme and Network from July 2024
What is a Nuffield Farming Scholarship?
A Nuffield Farming Scholarship is a travel and study bursary awarded by the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Ireland Ltd. The objective of the award scheme is to encourage the advancement of agriculture and rural development through the promotion of awareness, education and leadership in the Irish agriculture and rural sectors.
How much is the Nuffield Farming Scholarship worth?
The overall scholarship award is €18,000. This bursary is a contribution towards the cost of travel and accommodation which will be incurred by scholars for their international travel. It will not cover the full cost of registration & travel for the Contemporary Scholars Conference, Global Focus Programme and travel in pursuit of the study topic.
Upon submission of the signed contract the scholar receives an on-account payment. This money is to be used for costs arising for attendance at international briefings, travel expenses and accommodation. The balance is withheld by the Trust until the scholar submits a published report of their study within the two year contract period. The award takes the form of an interest free loan until all requirements under the scheme are met. The amount of the award is reviewed every few years and is kept in line with inflation and general costs associated with participating in the scheme.
Who provides funding for Nuffield scholarships?
The scholarships offered by the Trust are funded by sponsors to the scheme. The main sponsors are the FBD Trust, Golden Jubilee Trust, Irish Farmers Journal and the Irish Farmers Association, Aurivo Co-op, Glanbia, Dairygold, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, MSD Animal Health, Dairymaster, Kerry Group, LIC Ireland and Bord Bia. The number of scholarships awarded annually may vary.
Why should I apply for a Scholarship?
If you have a specific topic or study area that you are passionate about, involving agriculture or rural development and if you feel that some international travel and study may provide you with further information that could benefit not just yourself but other Irish farmers or rural communities, then a Nuffield Scholarship just might be for you. If you are interested in travel and experiencing other cultures and traditions you will greatly benefit from this award.
How are Nuffield Scholars selected and how do I apply?
Potential Nuffield Scholars are invited to apply for scholarships each summer. The scholarships are advertised in the Irish Farmers Journal, through different farm organisations and on agriculture programmes on local radio stations. Some Nuffield Scholars were encouraged to apply by existing graduates of the scheme.
To read more about the application process click here. Application forms are available on the Nuffield Ireland website or by contacting, Catherine Lascurettes, Executive Secretary via email – exec@nuffield.ie. Applications for Scholarships open in early summer annually.
What qualifications do I need to be eligible for a scholarship?
You must be actively engaged in the agriculture, rural or aquaculture sectors. A person involved in farming, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture or involved in agriculture and rural services or enterprise may apply. Ideally candidates will be between 25 and 45 years old. Good communications skills are desirable and selected candidates are enthusiastic about future developments in the agriculture and rural sectors and clearly demonstrate leadership potential. No formal education background, either college diploma or degree, is necessary. However formal presentations of your study findings are necessary and an in depth report on your study is required by the Trust by the end of the scholarship period. Selection is based on merit combining past experiences with application information and interview performance.
When do interviews for scholarship awards take place?
A number of candidates will be invited for preliminary interview, and those who are short listed will be called to the final interview in September / early October.
If successful when do I start and complete my scholarship study?
Successful candidates are asked to sign a scholarship contract soon after their selection. The contract outlines their obligations under the award scheme and they have two years to complete their travels and compile their study report once the contract is signed and submitted to the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Ireland Ltd.
Successful candidates from each of the participating countries must attend one week international briefing (Contemporary Scholars Conference – CSC) on different aspects of world agriculture and personal development in March each year e.g. 2019 Nuffield Scholars from Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the UK had their world briefing in Iowa, USA in March 2019. Scholars then undertook one of the Global Focus Programmes (GFP) which each last 6 weeks. In 2019 there were 5 GFP’s. Three of these began immediately after the CSC, and the remainder began on 5th June. After this time the scholars were free to plan their travels to different countries relevant to their chosen study topic.
Is there a specific area that I have to study?
No. The Nuffield applicant is free to nominate a study topic in their application of specific interest to them and relevant to the primary objective of the scheme namely the advancement of agricultural and rural development.
Where in the world can I carry out my scholarship study?
Nuffield scholars are free to travel to any country where they can meet and interview key people or observe at first hand practices relevant to their study. A significant and useful network of Nuffield contacts is available in participating countries but scholars are also encouraged to travel outside these countries and establish contacts of their own. Except for the GFP, all travel arrangements, flights, car hire, insurance, appointments and meetings are to be organised by the scholar.
What other support is available during the Nuffield scholarship period?
The Board and Executive Secretary of Nuffield Ireland will provide information and advice to new scholars on all aspects of the scheme. Induction, briefings, mentoring, report writing and other skills supports are provided to scholars in recent years. Previous scholars are a great source of information for potential contacts in particular areas of study or countries that you might like to visit. Through membership of Nuffield Ireland you gain contact with previous award recipients throughout the country.
Are there any other aspects I should consider when undertaking a Nuffield Scholarship?
Scholars are encouraged to spend between at least ten weeks travelling abroad, including the GFP. This may be undertaken in one trip but in the past scholars have found that individual travel taken some months after the GFP are easier to organise with work commitments at home. The GFP is a continuous 6 weeks global travel programme, which scholars must participate in from beginning to end. Relief workers and alternative work or home arrangements will need to be organised during these absences abroad.
On completion of your contract you will be expected to continue to promote and disseminate the findings of your study for the benefit of the industry. You are also actively encouraged to become involved in the development and promotion of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships for the benefit of future generations.
The Global Focus Programme (GFP) is an opportunity for all new Irish and International Scholars to participate in a six week intensive travel programme. Small groups of eight to ten Scholars from a variety of backgrounds travel to around seven countries and experience a broad range of agricultural systems, in very different political and social environments. The GFP aims to develop Scholars understanding of global agriculture, broaden their horizons and gives them the opportunity to meet with progressive businesses, organisations and governments from across the world.
The GFP is compulsory and Scholars travel in two groups; March and June. This is in addition to the Scholar’s own study travel.
You can read more about GFP, follow the travels of the GFP 2023 group here: https://nuffield.ie/summer-2023-gfp/
The 2027 Nuffield Ireland Scholarships open on 22nd June 2026
Please make sure that you read the FAQs to ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements.
If you have any queries about eligibility, the application process or general enquiries, please contact Executive Secretary of Nuffield Ireland, Catherine Lascurettes, via exec@nuffield.ie or by phone +353 86 2691197
