Ottawa (Rural Roots Canada) – Canadian agricultural professionals with a passion for learning and global exploration have an extraordinary opportunity to elevate their careers and drive innovation in the industry. Applications are now open for the prestigious Nuffield Canada Scholarships, which provide $20,000 in funding for international travel and study. The application window runs until June 30 for the 2026 scholar cohort.
The Nuffield Scholarship is not your typical academic award. It is designed specifically for mid-career individuals—aged roughly 25 to 50—who are already active in the agriculture sector and are eager to expand their horizons. Recipients design their own international study program, traveling for at least 10 weeks over a two-year period to research a topic of personal and professional interest. Their findings are shared with the wider agricultural community through a detailed report and formal presentation.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for anyone who is curious, driven, and wants to better understand agriculture, policy, and global food systems,” says Steve Larocque, Nuffield Canada Chair, 2008 Scholar, and owner of Beyond Agronomy. “The program opens doors around the world—scholars are welcomed into homes, farms, businesses, and even embassies to explore their chosen topic from a global perspective.”
READ MORE: Nuffield Canada Announces its 2025 Scholars
Nuffield Canada Scholars have investigated everything from regenerative farming practices and ag-tech innovation to agricultural marketing and food security policy. Participants hail from every corner of the agriculture industry, including food and fibre production, value-added processing, biofuels, aquaculture, forestry, communications, and governance. All philosophies and practices are welcome—commercial, organic, Indigenous, Halal, Kosher, and more.
Beyond individual growth, the scholarship fuels leadership development across the Canadian agriculture sector. Scholars often go on to become prominent speakers, advisors, board members, and industry influencers. Sponsors of the program gain early access to cutting-edge ideas and global perspectives while supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.
The Nuffield Canada network includes over 140 Canadian alumni and is connected to a global community of more than 2,000 scholars in countries around the world, offering an unparalleled network for mentorship, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
More information and application details can be found at www.nuffield.ca.
Rural Roots Canada owner Craig Lester is a 2023 Nuffield Scholar and credits the program with being a life-changing experience.
