The agricultural sector in the UK offers exciting and diverse STEM career opportunities for young people.
Whether you're passionate about technology, the environment, sustainability, or food security, a career in agriculture allows you to combine science and innovation while making a meaningful contribution to global issues.
The NFU and NFU Cymru, the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society and the NFU Mutual charitable trust are proud to introduce the AgriFuture Scholarship programme: a ground-breaking, five-year project to attract and support young people from racially marginalised backgrounds into the agricultural sector through a bespoke programme of mentoring, residential experiences and work placements.
What will the AgriFuture programme involve?
A five year bespoke mentoring programme that includes:
- Fully funded, annual week-long residential experiences, hosted by the Outward Bound Trust and including practical work experiences on farms, practical food and farming workshops and inspiring fireside chats with role models from the industry.
- Termly online mentor meetings with mentors from racially diverse backgrounds.
- Fully funded visits to agricultural events, employers and universities that are tailored to the young person’s interests.
Who can apply?
The NFU is committed to improving the diversity and inclusion of our sector and therefore the AgriFuture Scholarship Programme is for students from Black, Asian and other racially marginalised communities that are underrepresented in agriculture and currently studying in Year 9 in a state secondary school or home education setting in England or Wales.
How to apply
To apply for the AgriFuture scholarship programme, download and complete the application form and email it to education@nfu.org.uk.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 17 May 2025.
Please note applications are bound by the NFU’s terms and conditions for the AgriFuture Programme.
You can email education@nfu.org.uk for further information or an informal chat about your application.
What are the learning aims and outcomes of the programme?
- Increased awareness of own skills and abilities.
- Improved confidence and self-belief in own abilities.
- Improved ability to listen and communicate effectively with others.
- Increased awareness and concern for the natural environment.
- Increased resilience and determination.
- A greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges of modern day agriculture including food security, sustainability and contemporary farming practices.
- Increased awareness of the wide range of career opportunities and pathways within UK agriculture and the ability to match your skills and interests to these.
- To develop skills to progress towards becoming a role model and leader in your own community as well as the agricultural sector.
- Increased ability to work with a peer group of others from across the country to support each other with the help of mentors when required.
What is it like to go on an Outward Bound Trust residential?
We will be staying at the Outward Bound trust centre at Howtown.
Watch a video tour of a similar centre below:
Safeguarding
- All NFU and Outward Bound Trust staff and volunteers have enhanced DBS checks.
- Safeguarding for this programme will be managed by the NFU Safeguarding Lead and Designated Safeguarding officer; both of these staff members have undertaken comprehensive training with the NSPCC.
- All communications with mentors will be held within a secure platform.
- All staff involved in the programme will have undertaken the AgDiversity training programme – a course designed specifically for the agricultural sector to offer practical training when it comes to inclusivity and understanding the needs of others.
Transport arrangements
For all events there will be designated meeting points in Birmingham and Manchester as well as other key locations along the M6 motorway where onward travel will be provided via coach or minibus.
You will need to be able to make your way to one of these points. Financial assistance is available for any scholar who may find this aspect of the programme a barrier to participation.
