Applications are open to all those involved in Australian agriculture. However, the Nuffield program in Australia is focussed heavily on providing scholarships for primary producers (either owning or working in). Scholarships available for non-Primary Producers make up no more than 20% of all scholarships available.
Climate change, drought resilience, urbanisation and land scarcity, invasive pests and diseases, biodiversity loss, a growing population and changes in consumer expectations are all major challenges for the food and fibre industry. A Nuffield Scholarship is a unique opportunity to step out of your business and explore the world to find new best practices, ideas and resources to overcome and adapt to these challenges. Scholars are renowned as being able to embrace change, being versatile and seeking innovative ideas.
Nuffield opens doors to exciting and rewarding experiences. Whether it’s walking the halls of Westminster or Washington DC, or touring a leading wheat and maize research facility in Mexico, a scholarship presents a career defining opportunity.
- Review all pages under “How to Apply” on this website to understand all scholarship commitments.
- Proceed to the “Apply Now” section of the website and register.
- Complete your application. Note, you can save and resume your application regularly before submission.
- If your written application is shortlisted, a state selection committee will interview you in person.
- If successful at state level, a final, national selection interview will be held in Melbourne.
- If successful through interviews, you will be awarded a scholarship at the 2025 National Conference, to be held in South Australia.
Many global agribusinesses have been adapting to a post-COVID environment. In addition, climate change, drought resilience, urbanisation and land scarcity, invasive pests and diseases, biodiversity loss, a growing population and changes in consumer expectations are major challenges for the food and fibre industry. A Nuffield Scholarship is a unique opportunity to step out of your business and explore the world to find new best practices, ideas and resources to overcome these challenges. Scholars are renowned as being able to embrace change, being versatile and seeking innovative ideas – all of which are quality traits during uncertain times. This recent period has been extraordinary, so there has never been a better time to research how the world has changed, and how agriculture is adapting.
In summary, Nuffield opens doors to exciting and rewarding experiences. Whether it’s walking the halls of Westminster or Washington DC, or touring a leading wheat and maize research facility in Mexico, a scholarship presents a career defining opportunity.
There is a particular focus on identifying scholars who prioritise resilience and sustainability in the face of a changing climate. Other possible study topic ideas relating to specific industry sectors are listed under the "Available Scholarships" page.
These include:
- economic resilience by growing the productivity and self-reliance of the agricultural sector
- environmental resilience by improving the function of agricultural landscapes through effective management of the natural resource base
- social resilience by strengthening the social capital, wellbeing and connectedness of rural, regional and remote agricultural communities.
Future Drought Fund Scholarships:
- an explicit focus on drought and climate resilience
- an examination of public good and enduring outcomes
- tailored topics focusing on local needs and stakeholders, including First Nations peoples
- people-centred approaches
- topcis that drive change, including incremental, transitional and transformational change
- research into knowledge sharing and improved monitoring, evaluation and learning.
Newly selected scholars work with both Nuffield and the scholarship investor to refine study topic objectives and identify contacts around the world to assist with study topic research. Up to one week can include domestic (Australian-based) research, subject to approval of a proposed itinerary.
Eight to 12 scholars from Australia and other Nuffield countries spend five weeks travelling together in up to six countries, literally making their way around the world as agricultural explorers: visiting farms, corporate agribusinesses, research facilities, government institutions and culturally stimulating environments. For many scholars, the GFP is the accelerator experience of their Nuffield travels, broadening horizons, cementing global friendships, and is a unique chance to understand other cultures and countries on a deeper level.
Examples of visits include:
- Kings Ranch, Texas: largest cattle ranch in the USA
- Washington DC Capitol: meeting US Senators
- CIMMYT, Mexico: Hosting the world's largest maize and wheat genebank
- World Farmers Organisation, Rome
- Kakuzi Limited, Kenya: tea, avocados, pineapples and livestock
- CLAAS machinery factory, Germany
- Beef feedlot and wet markets, Indonesia
- ANCALI: one of the largest dairies in Chile
The Pre-CSC is held in Canberra with workshops and seminars to understand parliament, advocacy, policy, megatrends and key Australian agriculture issues. Scholars enhance their industry knowledge and visit a number of farms, agribusinesses and research facilities. There is a strong focus on drought resilience and sustainability.
At the CSC, the entire global year group gathers together, exploring agriculture in the host country, learning more about themselves and each other, and engaging with leaders in agriculture who help reinforce Nuffield's vision and values. Scholars consider international trade and policy issues, learn about different cultures and develop contacts for individual study.
On the Global Focus Program scholars are away for five weeks. Partners and family members are not permitted to travel with the scholar during the CSC, GFP or AFP but are strongly encouraged to participate in travel during the five weeks of individual study.
Applications open on Monday 17 February 2025. The first scholarship component is the National Conference, in early September 2025. Other components are undertaken in 2026. In advance of applications opening, please review all pages on this website under "Apply" to understand scholarship components and guidelines.
The breakdown of the scholarship components are:
- 7 DAYS: National Conference: briefing day, awards dinner, conference days and regional tour
- 15 DAYS: Pre-CSC and Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC)
- 35 DAYS: Global Focus Program (GFP) spent in various countries
- 7 DAYS: Australian Focus Program (AFP), commencing in Canberra (For FDF-supported scholars only)
- 35 - 42 DAYS: Five/six-week individual study (does not have to be concurrent)
- 6 DAYS: National Conference and awards dinner, to present findings
- $60,000 value
- $40,000 bursary, subject to guidelines set out on this website to cover group travel, study and reporting costs
- Amounts are withheld from the bursary to pay for compulsory travel components
- $3,000 is withheld from the bursary as an assurance on the submission of an approved report
- Likely costs exceeding the bursary value must be met by the scholar
