Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual is once again offering its Centenary Award bursaries, which will pay for up to 75% of selected post-graduate students’ course fees.
The award was set up NFU Mutual to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010; to support agricultural leaders of the future, and champion research and innovation within the industry.
To date, 52 young people have received help through the Centenary Award to help further their education.
“My goal is to become a leader in nutrition within Cornwall and Devon, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to enhance my knowledge.”
2023 Centenary Award winner and ruminant nutritionist Peter Reis
Who can apply?
The awards are available to those who have gained, or are expected to gain, a 2:1 or above in an agriculture-related degree and who and have been accepted or provisionally accepted onto a UK Masters or PhD course in agriculture starting during the 2024/25 academic year.
Studies should feature sustainable agriculture and climate change, international agricultural development, or the application of science and innovative technologies in agriculture as a key part of the course.
Judges will be looking for applicants who are not only excellent academic performers, but also have a real passion for agriculture and demonstrate potential to become future industry leaders.
How to apply
The closing date is midnight 30 June 2024 – if you think you fit the bill, head to nfumutual.co.uk to complete the application form.
For any queries, email [email protected].
Recipients will be announced in October.
How the bursaries will be supporting 2023 recipients
Three postgraduate agricultural students from across the UK were selected to receive a ‘Centenary Award’ bursary from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust for the 2023/2024 academic year:
- Megan Phillips from Herefordshire: MSc Sustainable and Efficient Food Production, Aberystwyth University.
- Peter Reis from Cornwall: MSc Ruminant Nutrition, Harper Adams University.
- Ludo de Falbe from Norfolk: MPhil Crop Sciences, University of Cambridge.
Megan is a graduate trainee at Dunbia, and is undertaking her Master’s course to support her career aspirations.
She said: “I’ve always been interested in animal genetics and red meat production to help farmers across the UK. The teaching of this Master’s degree is allowing me to see the financial and physical positives of experimental ideas which bring both farmers’ opinions and business knowledge into the equation.”
Peter, who works full time as a ruminant nutritionist at Mole Valley Feed Solutions, is undertaking his Master’s degree to help bring new and novel techniques to the farmers he serves.
“I have a real passion to learn about and pioneer new feeding techniques to increase the efficiency of dairy, beef and sheep farms in the region, while also decreasing the carbon footprint of the industry,” he said.
“My goal is to become a leader in nutrition within Cornwall and Devon, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to enhance my knowledge.”
Ludo, who is also passionate about UK agriculture and the environment, is undertaking his Master’s to explore techniques to develop resilience of crops to climate change.
“My studies include an investigation into gas exchange plants, and how the air spaces in leaves develop, with a view to improving water-use efficiency,” he said.
Announcing the award’s recipients for 2023, Jim McLaren MBE, NFU Mutual Chairman, said: “Our Centenary Award bursary scheme aims to champion research and innovation for the UK agricultural industry, while also supporting passionate individuals to advance their careers.
“We are delighted to be supporting Megan, Peter and Ludo with our Centenary Award bursaries, and wish them all the very best for their postgraduate courses.”