Essential Info
YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE MAKING YOUR APPLICATION. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS SHOULD NOTE THAT SOME CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES HAVE CHANGED FOR 2013 NUFFIELD AWARDS.
Background
Established as travelling awards for farmers in 1947 by the Nuffield Foundation, the NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST is now an independent, industry funded charitable organisation. Approximately 20 awards are made each year to people for their self development and the wider benefit to their industry.
Eligibility
Each year the NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS TRUST awards a number of scholarships to applicants who work within farming, food, horticulture, rural and associated industries or are in a position to influence those industries. Applicants are aged between 22 and 45 years (the upper age limit is 45). There is a special award available for young people between 22 and 28 years old, the Young Nuffield (Bob Matson) Award. Successful candidates are those whom the Selection Committee feel will contribute and innovate within their field and in the wider community after their return from study.
The Trust seeks people with very special qualities. There is no requirement for academic qualifications, but applicants will already be well established in their career and demonstrate a passion for the industry they work in and be three years post tertiary education. The rewards of a Nuffield Scholarship are tremendous, not only for the individual but for their industry.
Candidates must normally be resident in the UK. Residents of Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland and Zimbabwe may apply to the Nuffield Associations in those countries for awards.
Scholarships are not awarded to anyone in full-time education or to further research projects.
Many industry organisations, individuals, companies or charitable bodies sponsor the awards. Some awards are restricted by topic or geographical area. However, candidates are entered for all awards for which they are considered eligible.
The Scholarship
On the application form you are required to outline your proposal for study. Should your application be successful, you will be awarded funds to travel for a period of no less than eight weeks to wherever you and the Trust agree is appropriate for your study.
If you are selected for a Nuffield award you will receive a bursary of £6,000 towards your travel and subsistence expenses. In addition, the Trust and individual award sponsors will meet your travel and expenses in relation to the pre study briefing Contemporary Scholars Conference. Award sponsors also support the publication of Scholar reports and direct expenses relating to each award - the total value of an award is in excess of £10,000.
Nuffield Farming Scholarships are recognised worldwide and in many countries there is a network of Scholars who will be pleased to assist you.
On return from your travels, you will be expected to write a report and make a presentation at the annual conference of the Trust describing your findings, the conclusions you have reached and your recommendations to the industry. You are also expected to use all other means at your disposal to spread the knowledge you have gained within your industry and beyond.
Timetable
Application forms must be completed and returned by 31st July each year. Candidates are responsible for approaching their referees and ensuring that the pro forma reference form, which follows the application form, is completed in confidence by each referee using the attached on line reference form.
For successful scholars, a pre-study briefing will commence in early March. UK Scholars then join Scholars from the international Nuffield countries for a one week Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC).
From the date of their award, Scholars have 18 months to plan and undertake at least eight weeks of individual study, travelling at anytime to suit their convenience and their topic.
A written report on the study, including findings, lessons and conclusions must be submitted to the Trust. Scholars receiving awards in 2013 will present their reports to the Nuffield Conference in November 2014.
Contacting us
A brochure "Nuffield - Start a new life journey" and recent copies of our popular newsletter "Nuffield News" are available from the Director's office on request.
Before making an application, you may wish to make contact with the Nuffield Director who will be happy to discuss your application and introduce you to Nuffield alumni who may be local to you or share an interest in the topic you wish to study. Contact details: T: 01460 234012 M: 07788 138372 E: director@nuffieldscholar.org
Application forms
Application forms must be submitted to the Nuffield Director by 31st July each year.
If you experience difficulty in making your application, please contact us by telephone or e-mail.
Applicants are solely responsible for ensuring their referees submit references in confidence to the Nuffield Director by 31st July.
Applications are made in confidence. Your application form will, however, be copied to members of the Selection Committee and representatives of the Sponsors of Awards for the purposes of selection. Your name, but no details of your application, will be passed to the Chairman of your area's Nuffield Regional Group who will probably contact you and offer assistance and support in preparing for interview.
Briefings
The Trust places a very high value on the pre-study briefing. It is a condition of application that if successful you will be available to participate in the full briefing programme and Contemporary Scholars' Conference.
To assist in planning travel for successful candidates, we are asking for your passport number at the time of application.
Please make sure you have an up to date passport.
Scholars from other participating Nuffield countries enjoy additional briefings in Australasia and USA/Canada, including Washington DC in addition to the Contemporary Scholars' Conference. Nuffield Scholars from the UK have an opportunity to include one these group tours in their itinerary, although no additional bursary will be offered by the Trust. Further details will be available at the briefing. A popular option in recent years has been participation in a short tour in China.