Bursaries available for postgraduate agricultural students

In 2012 NFU Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer, is once again offering its Centenary Award for post graduate students in agriculture.

The award will give annual bursaries to pay up to 75% of course fees for selected students in agriculture who are starting a postgraduate course (Masters or PhD) in Autumn 2012.

The Centenary Award was launched by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust in 2010 to celebrate NFU Mutual’s 100th birthday. It is now in its third year, and already twelve students from across the UK have benefited from bursary payments to help fund their studies.

In talking about the scheme, Richard Percy, NFU Mutual Chairman, said: “At NFU Mutual we recognise the crucial role students in agriculture play in the future of the industry. Our Centenary Award aims to create a long-standing legacy for the future, and highlight our continued commitment to the countryside.”

The 2012 award is open to students from the UK who have gained, or are expected to gain, a 2:1 or above in agriculture or a closely related degree, and have been accepted on a Masters or PhD course in agriculture in the UK.

To select the students the award’s judging panel will be looking for applicants who are not only excellent academic performers, but are also committed to the future of agriculture.

Mr Percy said: “As a leading rural insurer, with its history interwoven in farming, NFU Mutual understands the challenges facing the agricultural industry such as environment, climate change, food security, and international agricultural development.”

He added: “We want our Centenary Award to benefit agricultural education and research, and help encourage a vibrant and sustainable farming industry.”

In response to this, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has specifically identified three topic areas of interest for eligible students:

• Sustainable agriculture
• Climate change and agriculture
• International agricultural development

In 2011 six students were awarded with a bursary:

• Simon Haley: MSc International Agribusiness and Farm Management
• Amanda Wilson: PhD Investigation into agriculture and small mammals
• Richard Van Neste: MSc Conservation and Rural Development
• Emma Bridge: MSc Integrated Pest Management
• Jack Bell: MSc Rural Estate Management
• Hannah Sims: MSc Rural Social Science Research

Prospective post graduate students who think they may be eligible to apply for the award should contact centenary_award@nfumutual.co.uk to request further details and an application form.

The closing date for applications relating to courses starting Autumn 2012 is 30th April 2012.