The Henman Nuffield Scholarship

Travel the world, study what matters to you, bring it home

Each year the Company sponsors a Nuffield Farming Scholar — funding someone to travel overseas, research a subject of their choosing, and return with what they have learned.

Award
Up to £16,000
How many
One scholar a year
Ages
22 to 45
Since
1978

Nuffield award around twenty scholarships a year, to people researching a topic in farming, food, horticulture or the rural sector. Scholars can travel anywhere in the world, visiting one or more countries, to further their understanding and advance their industry.

Who can apply

Nuffield sets the eligibility, and it is more specific than most awards.

  • UK residents aged 22 to 45 inclusive at the date of application
  • Working in farming, rural land-based industries, food industries or an associated sector
  • As an owner, a manager or an employee
  • At least two years in the sector, and intending to stay in it

What a scholarship offers

  • Study a subject of personal interest, independently
  • Access to world leaders in food and farming
  • Overseas travel, to one country or several
  • A duty to bring the knowledge back to the industry

Who has had one

Recent scholars

The best argument for applying is what other people have done with it.

  • 2026 Alice Willett-Green Non-family succession models in farming
  • 2025 Dr Laura James Nature and biodiversity markets for sustainable farming
  • 2024 Jamie Stokes Urban and vertical farming
  • 2023 Jim Bliss Rewilding potential in marginal farming
  • 2022 Vic Ballantyne and Miranda Timmerman Maternal livestock condition; anthelmintic resistance in sheep
  • 2021 Christopher Manley Leadership lessons from inside and outside agriculture

Taking it further

Applying

Applications are handled by Nuffield Farming Scholarships, not by the Company.

Apply through Nuffield

Where it came from

The Henman Awards began in 1978, with a bequest to the Company from Liveryman Philip Henman. His intention was that the trust should help outstanding candidates gain practical experience and further their careers in agriculture, horticulture and associated areas such as food processing and marketing — which is what it still does.