NUFFIELD FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS –DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FAST APPROACHING

Miss the deadline for applications for 2011 Nuffield Farming Scholarship Awards and you could miss out on the chance of a lifetime.



The closing date for applications of November 15th is fast approaching, so don’t pass up your opportunity to travel the world in search of new experiences, new ideas and more profitable ways of doing things.



“Anyone with a worthwhile individual project, who is keen to travel to enhance their knowledge and skills, and who enjoys sharing information, is what we are looking for,” explains John Stones, Director Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.



“In particular, Nuffield is on the lookout for people who are self-motivated, enquiring and excited about their area of interest. That area of interest could be anything related to agriculture, horticulture or forestry, or associated industries.”



Nuffield Scholarships are recognised throughout the world. They are open to individuals aged 23 to 45 and who are resident in the UK. There are no pre-requisite academic qualifications. Each scholarship provides a bursary towards travel and subsistence expenses for eight weeks of individual study, as well as an international briefing involving industry leaders and Nuffield Scholars from around the world.



John Stones points out: “Most scholars return from their travels with a spring in their step and a new-found confidence in their abilities and ambitions. The information and knowledge they gather, the doors that are opened and the new experiences they encounter, more often than not bring a brand new perspective to their work and their lives. They never look back.



“Supported and motivated by a network of scholars and scholarship activities in the UK and abroad, their learning experience doesn’t end with their scholarship travels. Rather, as a consequence of their experience, the scholar develops a thirst for continued learning which can continue for life.



“So what’s stopping you?”



As the experiences of past scholars show, the many benefits of a Nuffield Scholarship far outweigh any initial worries – whether about finding the time to be away from a busy working life or family commitments, or any feelings that you are just not good enough:



“The trouble with a Nuffield is that everyone thinks they are too busy to spend eight weeks travelling and their business will fall apart while they are away. I was one of those people. But as most past scholars will tell you, what actually happens is that colleagues and employees enjoy the challenge of added responsibility.” Richard Hooper 2009



“Many people say to me that Nuffield Scholarships must be only for clever people. This is rubbish. Anyone can take the plunge. Some of the best study papers given at the winter conference have come from people who came from very practical jobs with no college training.” Steve Ward 1990



“Nuffield really does open doors. The whole experience is one that will remain for a lifetime. It opened my eyes to what is going on around the world. I made contact with people I would never have met in any other way and now have a two-way network of people involved in agriculture around the world. I also got to know my way around the UK government, the European Parliament and a whole host of industry organisations and government bodies.” Nick Green 2002



“The opportunity Nuffield provides is something money can’t buy. The experiences gained are truly life changing. Nuffield Scholarships are quite simply the best example of life-long learning.” Clive Blacker 2004



“There is never a good time to do a scholarship. I applied and have never looked back. I have never had time to! I hope that others will also realise that there is rarely a ‘right time’ to embark on a Nuffield Scholarship and apply for this fantastic learning opportunity, which includes becoming involved in the various Nuffield groups for a lifetime of learning.” Nick Chippindale 2009



The NFST awards around 20 scholarships each year, providing travel and subsistence costs in return for a written paper and the presentation of study findings at its annual conference.



Entry for an award couldn’t be simpler. All you need to do is decide what you would really like to study and why, and send in a completed application form before the deadline of 15th November 2010. Your application will require two references.



An application form for a 2011 Scholarship can be downloaded from the Nuffield website at www.nuffieldscholar.org, where further information about the scholarship scheme can be found.



Individuals interested in applying, but requiring further information, are also invited to contact John Stones on Tel. 01858 555544 01858 555544 (Email. nuffielddirector@aol.com).