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.
Scholar's Programme, including Breaking Barriers, is OPEN
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2026, in partnership with McDonald's. The programme will involve a hybrid model with an opportunity for Scholars to attend the live conference in January 2026 (7th - 9th January), a 1-day in-person gathering in London on Friday 17th October 2025, as well as online bespoke sessions that will be made exclusively available to the Scholars.
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.
Please visit our dedicated website page where it outlines some key changes to the 2026 programme, as well as applications to apply to be a Scholar or participate in Breaking Barriers.
Application deadline for both is Friday 3 October 2025.
Applications are currently closed but will be opening in October for 2026.
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
Applications are now CLOSED.
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
