Looking to the horizon for the next generation of Australian agricultural leaders

Created in collaboration with industry sponsors, the highly sought after AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship is designed to support full-time university students across Australia who are pursuing agriculture-related undergraduate degrees and STEM degrees with majors aligned to the industry.

The scholarship provides a $5,000 annual bursary for the final two years of the recipient’s degree. It also offers opportunities for professional development, industry work placements, exclusive networking events, and participation in industry gatherings.

Previously, the Horizon Scholarship program was open to students in their first two years of tertiary studies, but that has changed for 2024 and is now available to students who are in their final years of study to better connect them with industry networks, providing momentum when entering the workforce.

Acting General Manager of Workforce, Communications and Adoption at AgriFutures Australia, Jennifer Galloway said the program offers an incredible opportunity to engage in professional development workshops, equipping the recipients with the tools to elevate their skills and expand their knowledge base.

“As a recipient, you’ll have the opportunity to complete annual industry work placements aligned with your areas of interest and the sponsor’s industry,” Ms Galloway said.

“It also connects you to industry events, broadening your horizons and providing valuable insights into Australian agriculture. This helps you grow personally and professionally, making meaningful contributions to agriculture and rural communities possible.

“AgriFutures is incredibly proud to support and manage this program on behalf of all the sponsors for the past 13 years. It’s an important part of the future fabric of Australian agriculture and the promotion of opportunities for the next generation of ag leaders.”

A 2022 Horizon Scholar, Ayla Christophers, described the program as life changing, emphasising that it provided her with invaluable industry experience and guidance.

“The program offered me so many opportunities, one of the most valuable was completing a placement with the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, allowing me to explore the growth of the Australian cotton industry,” Ms Christophers said.

“For anyone passionate about agriculture, I highly recommend this program. You not only gain valuable knowledge but also have the chance to meet amazing people along the way. Don’t hesitate – apply today!”

New WA based partner

For 2024, the Western Australia based Mt Burdett Foundation has come on board and will be sponsoring one student specifically from WA. The Mt Burdett Foundation is the vision of the late Chris Reichstein, a farmer from Esperance, who was passionate about building the capacity of rural and regional people and their communities.

Chair of the Mt Burdett Rural and Regional Advancement Foundation, Erin Gorter, said the Foundation was excited to be involved.

“The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship is a really important program and we are delighted to provide the opportunity for a Western Australian student who is studying at a WA university to participate,” Ms Gorter said.

“The Foundation has been set up with two funding arms; one supporting projects specifically benefiting the Esperance area and the second to support human capacity building throughout rural and regional communities in WA – and the Horizon Scholarship clearly ticks that box.”

To be eligible for the Horizon Scholarship, entrants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident enrolled full-time in the last two years of an agriculture-related undergraduate degree at an Australian university.

Applications for the scholarship open Monday, 20 November 2023, and will close Friday 12 January 2024.

2024 Horizon Scholars will be sponsored by:

·         Meat and Livestock Australia

·         Australian Eggs

·         Hort Innovation

·         Australian Wool Innovation Limited

·         Dairy Australia

·         Grains Research and Development Corporation

·         Cotton Research and Development Corporation

·         Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre

·         Southern NSW Innovation Hub

·         Baiada Poultry

·         Mt Burdett Foundation

·         AgriProve

·         AgriFutures Export Fodder Program

·         AgriFutures evokeAG.

·         AgriFutures Rice Program

·         AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program

·         AgriFutures Pasture Seeds Program

·         AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program

Click here to find out more and apply