Empowering emerging horticulture leaders: Nuffield Scholarship applications open for 2026

Investing in the next generation of leaders is essential for creating an innovative future in Australian horticulture. The Nuffield Scholarship, which awards primary producers with a life-changing scholarship to travel overseas and study an agricultural topic of choice, has been created to support continued learning in emerging horticulture leaders.   

Hort Innovation proudly supports the Nuffield Scholarship program to empower these leaders with global insights and skills to drive the industry forward.  

The 15-week Nuffield program has been designed to provide participants who have a thirst for continued learning an opportunity to increase their knowledge, management, and leadership skills for both their industry and community. 

Since the project started, rubus, onion and vegetable scholars have been supported.  

Third-generation farmer, Catherine Velisha, used a Nuffield scholarship, to explore grower-led education programs from across the globe. Her aim was to understand the programs that were helping people value vegetables and the role they play in health. To uncover her findings, Catherine used the scholarship to travel to the UK, USA, Ireland and across Australia. 

Her final report, released on 1 May 2025, found a growing trend of collaboration between the agricultural sector, educational institutions and local communities to help people understand food production and promote healthier eating habits. 

Applications for the next cohort of scholars are open until Friday 16 May 2025.  

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed during June and July, and successful recipients will be announced at the Nuffield Australia National Conference in Adelaide on 8-10 September 2025. 

Find out more and apply at https://nuffield.com.au/how-to-apply 

The Nuffield scholarships project (MT22003) is funded by Hort Innovation, using the Apple and Pear, Avocado, Onion and Raspberry and Blackberry research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government.