The 2018 Irish Nuffield Scholarship programme is now open for applications from young farmers.

Provided by Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Ireland Ltd, the annual scholarship provides a €14,000 bursary for travel and accommodation in an international agricultural development programme, which runs for 10 weeks.

Candidates selected will set out on a minimum of 11 weeks of travel during the 18-month scholarship.

The scholarship will involve taking part in the one-week Contemporary Scholars Conference, along with the Global Focus Programme (which lasts for approximately six weeks).

In addition – according to the organisers – the chosen scholar will become a member of Nuffield Ireland, with the chance to promote agriculture and agriculturally related issues, along with becoming a member of a worldwide network of over 1,650 Nuffield Farming Scholars – described by Nuffield Ireland as “agriculture’s forward thinkers and industry leaders”.

Submissions are sought by the organisers from suitable applicants who work in Irish agriculture. In terms of eligibility requirements, the candidate has to be a resident of Ireland and must have been involved in agriculture for a minimum of five years.

Ideally, the candidate should be aged between 25 and 45. However, Nuffield Ireland may consider applicants of other ages.

In addition, applicants should be “well established” in their chosen careers and should show a passion for their work sector. Some of the qualities highlighted by the organisers as desirable traits include leadership potential and a willingness to “give back” to the agri sector.

It should be noted that all selected scholars will be expected to remain involved and engaged with the Nuffield organisation in the future.

The deadline for applications is Monday, July 31. Applications can be made by email to [email protected] in the suitable application form format – which is available on the Nuffield website.

Candidates whose applications impress the organisers will be brought in for interview to further determine suitability.

For those interested, more information on the scholarship is available on the Nuffield Ireland website here.