Ag-celerate your future with the AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship

In partnership with a range of industry sponsors, the AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship is an initiative to help grow and support the next generation of leaders, game changers and thought makers in agriculture. In partnership with a range of industry sponsors, the AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship is an initiative to help grow and support the next generation of leaders, game changers and thought makers in agriculture.

The scholarship provides students with an annual bursary of $5,000 for the last two years of their undergraduate degree, professional development opportunities, and a gateway to industry networks and leaders.

Along with the bursary, scholars complete annual industry placements and a week-long capacity building workshop, which helps them to further develop their presentation, design thinking and collaborative skills. Throughout their time in the program, scholars are exposed to a range of professional contacts and networks, including opportunities to attend industry events, gaining vital knowledge and insights into a range of rural industries.

In 2019, some important changes were introduced to the eligibility criteria of the scholarship and these changes continue to be a significant cornerstone of building a dynamic and collaborative program. To be eligible for the 2020 AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship students must:

• Be entering their final two years of a full-time undergraduate degree
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Have a maximum two-year gap between high school and tertiary study
• Be studying a degree that focuses on, aligns to, or supports rural industries.

Eligible degrees include traditional agriculture degrees such as rural science, animal science and agribusiness, along with Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM) degrees with major studies and subject selections relevant and aligned to agriculture. Students studying in faculties that support the prosperity of rural industries, such as logistics, communications and IT, and who are passionate about a career in an agriculture, are also encouraged to apply.

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director John Harvey, says that in order to build prosperous and sustainable rural industries, it is important to focus on the next generation of leaders.

“The AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship attracts students who are collaborative, dynamic, and passionate, with the capability to be future leaders of our industries. This year we are especially interested in fostering this diverse energy by encouraging students from a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds to apply.”

“The National Farmers Federation has set a goal of becoming a $100 billion industry by 2030. In order to achieve this, it is vital that we continue to build the skills, capacity, leadership and knowledge of Australia’s future rural leaders. This scholarship elevates student’s exposure and understanding of rural industries, ensuring they are fully equipped to begin their careers in agriculture,” said Mr Harvey.

Applications close on Friday, 22 November 2019 at 5.00pm AEDT. Shortlisted applicants must be available for a telephone interview in February 2020, and scholarship recipients will be announced in April 2020.

More information, the online application form and full terms and conditions can be found at www.agrifutures.com.au/horizon

Current sponsors of the AgriFutures™ Horizon Scholarship: Australian Eggs, Australian Wool and Innovation, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Dairy Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited, McCaughey Memorial Institute, Meat & Livestock Australia, AgriFutures Australia (Rice and Chicken Meat research programs) and Westpac.