Nuffield has a volunteer Board of Directors that oversees the direction and strategy of the organization. A part-time Executive Director, hired by the Board of Directors, manages day-to-day operations at the direction of the Board.

Nuffield Canada was established in 1950 with money from the original Lord Nuffield endowment, incorporated as a registered not-for-profit in 1986, and became a registered Canadian charity in 2014.

Nuffield Canada is part of the larger Nuffield International community which includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zimbabwe. Scholarship recipients become a member of the Nuffield alumni, now more than 2,000 strong globally, which interacts to aid development of new scholars and continuing achievement of its alumni.

Nuffield Canada depends on corporate sponsorship and alumni donations to support scholarships and day-to-day operations.

On the training sessions spouses are strictly prohibited. We encourage scholars to begin their private study on their own with spouses joining near the end of the period to share in the experience.

We need studies to be current and of interest to modern agriculture. We prefer wide studies allowing freedom for the scholar to move about and to cover a broad field as opposed to being focused and missing some larger issues which are important.

Nuffield Scholarships are awarded to Canadian citizens between the ages of 25 – 50(ish) with a passion for agriculture. ‘Agriculture’ includes all forms of primary production including food, fibre, health care, biofuels, forestry, aquaculture, and fisheries. Recipients can come from any part of agriculture, from primary production to value added processing to governance or communications. They can be involved in any aspect of the industry including as owners, managers, employees, administrators, or bureaucrats, and all industry philosophies are welcome including commercial, organic, cottage, medicinal, Indigenous, Kosher, ethnic and others.

That is part of the leadership training of the program. If you are leadership material and you can’t leave your farm or job, then you will never be able to lead in the future. That is part of the organizational skill required to earn a scholarship and become a Nuffield Scholar.

Online written and video applications are accepted from April 1 through June 30 each year at www.nuffield.ca. Applications are then reviewed and short-listed by a committee of Nuffield Canada alumni. Selections and interviews are completed in July and August with final selections being announced in early September.

This annual event is the blast-off for new Nuffield Scholars from around the world. They gather for one time only, in a different country each year, to spend eight days exploring agriculture in the host country, learning more about themselves and each other, and engaging with leaders in agriculture who reinforce experiential learning.

No educational background is necessary. However, an in-depth report is required at the end of your study and that knowledge must be passed on to others by public speaking and a series of publishable articles while you are on the scholarship and after your return.

This varies from scholar to scholar and can range from $35,000 to $50,000 in addition to the Nuffield Canada $20,000 Scholarship. The most expensive parts of this scholarship are the flights, travel and accommodation costs. One of the ways that expenses can be reduced is through the hospitality of Nuffield Scholars living in the study area who provide free meals and lodging. Those who are selected are responsible for making all of their own travel and living arrangements – a “package” is not given to each scholar since this would partially defeat the objective of teaching leadership and independent thought.

The short answer is 24 months; the long answer is a lifetime. Contemporary scholars travel and study their topic for 24 months after which they write and present their report. Upon completion, scholars belong to the Nuffield family for life and can participate in Nuffield conferences and events held around the world. You are also tied into a dynamic group of people who meet at annual meetings and picnics and exchange ideas and views on a variety of subjects. You don’t “do” a Nuffield Scholarship; you “are” a Nuffield Scholar.

Most do a lot of fundraising on their own by asking for financial support from local companies, agricultural organizations, and individuals. Upon their return, scholars re-pay this support through public speaking, writing articles, social media activity, and consulting work free of charge, etc. The Nuffield lessons learned can then translate into new knowledge for the farming operations of those who gave their support.

Just a few of the benefits of investing in Nuffield Canada are: Close association with Nuffield Canada, its Scholars, and the greater Nuffield International community. Nuffield Scholars are highly respected in their industries and much sought after as speakers, advisors and board members. Canadian Nuffield Scholars play key leadership roles in many of this country’s agricultural, food and rural associations. Exposure to new products, services, technologies, ideas and marketing approaches, through knowledge gained and brought back to Canadian agriculture by Nuffield Scholars. Public recognition and profile of your support through the scholar, his/her research report and through Nuffield’s extensive network, not just in Canada but around the world. The opportunity to gain a future employee or consultant committed to growing your company’s bottom line through unique experience and innovative thinking. Research shows that investing in leadership and expertise development like the Nuffield experience results in a triangulation of benefits to scholar: Individuals develop greater personal growth, self-confidence, personal power, creative thinking, valuing of time, business skill-building, and modeling behaviors. Organizations benefit from greater ‘big picture’ thinking, communications, management skills, effective networking, problem-solving skills, and improved business skills with new perspectives and ideas. Community benefits include greater awareness of cultural diversity, increased participation and influence in their community and area of expertise, and holding executive positions on boards. Source: Black, A.M. (2009). Measuring the outcomes of leadership development programs. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247784853_Measuring_the_Outcomes_of_Leadership_Development_Programs

Nuffield Canada has recognition packages for all levels of investors. Please contact our Executive Director for more information.

Yes, Nuffield Canada is a registered Canadian charity non-profit organization, so your donation is tax deductible. Or alternatively, as a business, you can write off your sponsorship as a business expense.

The cost to support a Nuffield Canada Scholar is $20,000.