The Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust have launched the new Nuffield Farming Next-Gen Nuffield Scholarship, which will be made available to young people aged 18-24. A pilot scheme for the programme will run in 2024 and be open to those in Northern Ireland with a demonstratable interest in the dairy industry.
Two successful applicants will be selected by the Northern Ireland Nuffield Farming Association to take part in a fully funded, 30-day dairy sector study programme in the UK. The programme aims to give young people the opportunity to develop their understanding of the industry while also building networks and future opportunities.
Applications for the Next-Gen Scholarship will open on 17 October 2023 and will close on 31 January 2024. Interviews for shortlisted applicants will take place in early February 2024 and scholarship recipients will be announced by the end of that month.
The study tour is supported by the Nuffield Farming Dairy Group and will provide an overview of the UK dairy industry and Nuffield Farming. Next-Gen Scholars will stay on dairy farms with Nuffield Scholars, join a dairy tour in North Wales, and visit more than ten other dairy businesses. They will also be assigned a mentor and give a presentation about their experiences at the 2024 Nuffield Farming Conference, which will be held in Belfast.
Following a successful pilot programme, the Next-Gen Scholarship will be made available to young people across the UK in a variety of sectors, with up to six Scholarships awarded each year.
“Our new Next-Gen Scholarships aim to develop young talent within the industry,” explains Rupert Alers-Hankey, Director Designate of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust. “It is an exciting initiative for Nuffield Farming and forms an important part of our commitment to leading positive change in agriculture.
“We hope that taking part in the programme will enable young people to establish themselves in the industry, while also getting a flavour of all that Nuffield Farming has to offer. Launching our pilot programme in Northern Ireland is particularly special as the Nuffield Farming Conference returns to Belfast in 2024.”
Prospective applicants for the Nuffield Farming Next-Gen Scholarship can find out more about the process and start their application on the Nuffield Farming website.
