Bursaries and Scholarships
The 2026 Oxford Farming Conference, running from 7 to 9 January will once again support individuals through bursaries and scholarships, allowing them to attend the event, which will look at "Growing Resilience"
With a strong focus on networking and social activities and a commitment over the last few years to develop OFC so it is as inclusive and accessible as possible, these scholarships and bursaries will enable those who may otherwise face social or economic barriers, the opportunity to experience one of the UK’s leading agricultural events.
Find out more about the programmes on offer, below.
Applications are now open.
The Inspire Programme enables ambitious candidates from the rural and agri-food sector to attend the Oxford Farming Conference, develop their own network and leadership skills, and receive support from industry bodies and professionals, ahead of the conference. It is kindly supported by BASF Agricultural Solutions and TIAH.
CRITERIA
- 30 to 45 years of age
- Actively involved in the rural, food and/or farming sector
- Not attended OFC before
- Not participated in the Inspire Programme before
- Able to attend the full conference in January 2026
- Able to attend the pre-conference Inspire day away in London in November 2025
- Able to meet your own transportation costs for all events included in the programme
- Resident in the UK
Find out more about Inspire here
The Scholars' Programme is currently closed, watch this space for information on 2026.
The OFC Scholars' Programme aims to give young people the opportunity for peer-to-peer networking and to share views and ideas, while gaining access to key skills development training. We firmly believe that the exciting 2026 OFC scholars programme provides an excellent opportunity for Scholars to experience the UK’s leading agricultural conference while gaining valuable skills to foster leaders of tomorrow.
Any sponsor, organisation or group can book a Scholar place for OFC26. It is then up to them how they nominate the individual that will receive the opportunity. For some, they do an open call and ask for applications, others will have already identified the individual they wish to send, for example, it could be an apprentice who works for them, the chair of a voluntary group or a young person who has won a competition.
Organisations, companies and charities that want to support scholars to attend have been doing so for many years, any new supporters are encouraged to get in touch for more details, email secretariat@ofc.org.uk for more details.
The programme welcomes a broad diversity of individuals, including those from non-traditional sectors and backgrounds, and reflecting a broad diversity of geographical and academic experience. We also encourage and welcome applicants from outside of the agriculture sector including those who haven't studied agri-food subjects.
We ask that Scholars should be aged 18-30 years and have not previously attended the conference. We also encourage Scholars to be appointed by end of September 2025 to ensure Sponsors and Scholars obtain maximum value from the programme.
Once the scholar place has been booked and paid for, OFC will then get in touch with them and invite them to be part of the programme, where they will benefit from a range of training, webinars and an exclusive session at OFC26.
Applications are now closed for the 2025 Breaking Barriers programme, keep an eye back for 2026 opening.
As part of our commitment to encouraging and supporting diversity and inclusion we launched the landmark Breaking Barriers Scholarship six years ago. This unique opportunity, in partnership with McDonald's, is open for people aged 18-30 years old, who identify as Black or Person of Colour (BPOC) and have an interest in the food, farming, and agricultural sector. Individuals do not have to be working or studying in the sector currently.
The fully-funded Breaking Barriers programme includes the complete OFC 2026 Scholars programme PLUS additional benefits.
Applications are now closed.
To further the OFC's charitable objectives, the voluntary Council of Directors have been working to secure support from businesses and trusts, to enable the conference to offer bursaries to individuals who may otherwise be unable to attend the event due to financial constraints.
Awarded to individuals who are actively working in the food, farming and agricultural sector, or with an evidenced pathway to enter the industry, these bursaries will fully-fund the cost of a ticket to the conference in Oxford from 7 to 9 January 2026, as well as offering accommodation and a small grant for use towards travel. This is kindly supported by The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and other partners.
You must be a resident in the UK, and OFC is keen to see applications from individuals who may have recently moved to the country as a result of conflict overseas.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- A full ticket to the conference from 7 - 9 January 2026, including lunch
- Accommodation for two nights at Christ Church College (7th and 8th January 2026), with breakfast
- The Christ Church dinner on Thursday 8th January 2026
CRITERIA
- 18 years of age or over
- Not attend the Oxford Farming Conference before
- Able to attend the full two-day conference in Oxford in January 2026
- Resident in the UK