AgriFutures Australia is committed to supporting the people who are driving, and will drive, the future prosperity of Australian rural industries and communities. We do this by investing in leadership, capacity and skills development programs for our stakeholders.
Established in 1951, Nuffield Australia is a leading agricultural scholarship organisation, building capacity for producers, their businesses, industry and rural communities. AgriFutures is offering stakeholders the opportunity to participate to apply for a sponsored position in the Nuffield Scholarship program. The successful applicant will receive $35,000 to travel overseas and study innovative farming practices.
Applications for 2027 will open on Monday 16 February 2026.
Designed for: Emerging leaders in agriculture and food systems. Course commencement date: Commences early each year. Duration: Approximately 18 months. Location: Delivered globally.
A Nuffield Australia Scholarship provides a unique opportunity to stand back from your day-to-day occupation, and to study a subject of interest to you.
The objective is to increase practical farming knowledge and management skills and techniques generally. These scholarships give Australian citizens the opportunity to study farming practices in New Zealand, Europe, Asia and the Americas and those countries best suited to the scholar. They will also promote a closer understanding between farmers in the countries visited.
Upon returning to Australia, it is expected that scholars will be able to actively spread the knowledge and understanding they have gained among their fellow farmers and others. In addition to the scholarship itself, Scholars are welcomed into a global network – over 500 Nuffield Scholars in Australia and almost 2,000 worldwide.
To be eligible for a Nuffield Scholarship, you must be:
Typically between 28-45 years of age (Please note that exceptional candidates outside this age range will be considered).
A citizen or permanent resident of Australia
Engaged in farming, horticulture, fishing or associated industries
Intending to remain involved in food and fibre industries in Australia.
To be eligible for an AgriFutures-funded Scholarship, you must also be:
An engaged member of one of the following industries:
Chicken Meat
Export Fodder
Thoroughbred Horses
Honey Bee & Pollination
Rice
Pasture Seeds
Ginger
Tea Tree Oil
Kangaroo
Buffalo
Goat Fibre
Deer
An engaged member of — and intending to remain involved in —an emerging Australian agricultural industry (e.g. coffee, hazelnut, industrial hemp, insects, crocodile, seaweed/algae, sesame, truffle, or other up-and-coming rural industries).
Essential Requirements
One or two industry participant/s (from a levied industry or an emerging industry) will be sponsored by AgriFutures Australia to complete the program (valued at ~$35,000 per position). The position is not transferable. Participants are required to complete the course assessment and provide evidence of completion to AgriFutures.
To be considered for a 2027 scholarship, you apply in 2026. Research and travel start in 2027. You’ll need to be able to commit 18 months to the program, which will require some periods of international travel.
Application Information
Before you apply
The course fees are fully sponsored by AgriFutures Australia. Eligible AgriFutures stakeholders (outlined above) are encouraged to apply with applications to be assessed and selected by AgriFutures Capacity Building staff. Applicants are required to respond to a number of selection criteria and provide evidence of their engagement in their specified category.
Nuffield Australia recommends that applicants understand and accept the Eligibility/Value/Tenure, FAQs, Selection Guidelines, Calendar and Available Scholarships (all available on their website) before submitting an application.
How to apply
Applications for 2027 will open on Monday 16 February 2026.
Contact
Enquiries about AgriFutures-supported positions
For questions about eligibility, funding support, or the AgriFutures application process, please contact:
Sarah Hope
Manager, Capacity Building
Emily Jones
Coordinator, Capacity Building
Information about the Nuffield Scholarship program
For program details, structure, and delivery of the program, visit the Nuffield Australia website:
