Scholarship awarded to Eric Ritchie

Embark on a lifelong journey of learning

Each year Nuffield Canada awards 3 scholarships of $15,000 to enterprising Canadian individuals with a passion for agriculture.  The scholarship is to be used for a minimum of 8 weeks of travel for the purpose of study.  Recipients can come from any field of agriculture such as livestock, grain or vegetable production, forestry, horticulture, etc and can come from any aspect of the industry, for instance owners, managers, employees, administrators or bureaucrats.

The Selection Process

Nuffield Canada searches out enthusiastic individuals with a passion for agriculture and a genuine desire to expand your knowledge, pursue new ideas and to share your findings with others.  There are no prerequisites of university or college education or past awards, however one must have the management ability to step away from their current duties for a total of 2 months.

Applicants are required to complete the Nuffield Scholarship Application by March 31.  After review of the applications the Nuffield Scholarship Selection Committee conducts interviews with potential candidates assessing their candidacy and proposed area of study.  Scholarships are then awarded by June 30.

The Value

Nuffield scholarships are unique in several ways.  For the most part it is an individual quest for knowledge, you choose the agricultural topic of interest and you select the countries in which you want to study.   Added benefits arise from networking with scholars from other Nuffield countries – England, Wales, Scotland, France, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Zimbabwe. Each year there is a Contemporary Scholars Conference held somewhere on the globe for the most recent Nuffield scholars.  Here lies the opportunity to meet with other industry leaders and make valuable lifelong contacts.

Possibly the most valuable aspect of becoming a Nuffield Scholar is the access to the over 1500 strong Nuffield alumni.  Current Nuffield scholars are strongly encouraged in the course of their study to seek out past Nuffield scholars for their expertise, for assistance in arranging study interviews, for their local knowledge and lastly for a place of good conversation, a home cooked meal and a warm bed.  Past Nuffield scholars welcome the opportunity to host new scholars as an opportunity to continue their own learning experience and as a way of repaying the hospitality shown them on their travels.

In Return

In return for this opportunity of a lifetime, Nuffield Canada requires the study to be completed within a two year period and to prepare a written report which is to be presented to Nuffield Canada at an annual meeting held normally in late November, early December.  It is hoped that scholars will use their knowledge and leadership to further the industry.