Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027

Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027: Eligibility, Funding and How to Apply

Applications are open for the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) Scholars Programme 2027, an opportunity designed to help young people develop professional skills, build industry networks and gain valuable exposure to the food, farming and agricultural sectors.

The 2027 programme marks the 25th anniversary of the OFC Scholars initiative and introduces new partnerships with Severn Trent Water and M&S Food. The programme combines in-person development activities, online sessions and attendance at the Oxford Farming Conference in January 2027.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to young people interested in agriculture, food, farming, sustainability, business, science, technology, policy and related fields.

What Is the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme?

The OFC Scholars Programme is a professional development and networking initiative created to support the next generation of people working in or interested in food, farming and agriculture.

The programme gives participants opportunities to meet peers, exchange ideas, develop professional skills and interact with people working across the agricultural and food industries.

For 2027, the programme will include two in-person gatherings, online sessions and participation in the main Oxford Farming Conference from 6 to 8 January 2027.

The programme has also broadened its reach beyond traditional agricultural backgrounds. Applicants do not necessarily need to have studied agriculture or an agri-food subject.

People from areas such as business, technology, science, economics, communications and policy may also be considered.

Who Can Apply for the OFC Scholars Programme 2027?

The programme welcomes young people who meet the relevant requirements.

Applicants should:

• Be under 30 years old
• Have an interest in food, farming, agriculture or related areas
• Come from a range of academic, professional or geographical backgrounds
• Have not previously attended the Oxford Farming Conference
• Be able to participate in the required programme activities

The OFC specifically encourages applications involving people from non-traditional sectors and backgrounds, including individuals who have not studied agri-food subjects.

This means the programme is not restricted exclusively to agriculture students.

A person working or studying in technology, business, communications, science, economics, environmental studies or another relevant field may have a suitable background.

What Does the Programme Offer?

Successful Scholars will participate in a combination of professional development, networking and conference activities.

The programme includes:

Attendance at OFC 2027

Scholars will receive access to the Oxford Farming Conference taking place in Oxford from 6–8 January 2027.

The conference provides opportunities to hear from people across the food and farming sector and engage with discussions about the industry's future.

Accommodation

The main Scholar package includes two nights of accommodation associated with the conference programme.

Conference Events

The programme includes access to major conference activities such as:

• Chair's Welcome Reception
• Oxford Union Debate
• Christ Church Dinner

These activities provide additional opportunities for networking and engagement with other participants.

Two In-Person Development Events

The 2027 programme includes two dedicated in-person events:

Supply Chain Day — London: 12 November 2026

Primary Production Day — Shropshire: 25 November 2026

These activities are designed to expose Scholars to different parts of the food and farming system.

Online Development Sessions

Scholars will also participate in bespoke online sessions scheduled between November and December 2026.

These sessions are intended to complement the in-person activities and provide additional learning and networking opportunities.

Peer Networking

Participants become part of the OFC Scholars community, providing opportunities to connect with other young professionals and emerging leaders.

How Many Scholars Will Be Selected?

The 2027 programme is structured around 30 places.

This consists of:

• 22 standard Scholar places, which are nominated and funded by sponsoring organisations, groups or individuals
• 8 Breaking Barriers places, funded by OFC, Severn Trent Water and M&S Food

The two pathways have different application and funding arrangements.

Is the Oxford Farming Conference Scholarship Fully Funded?

This depends on the pathway.

Standard Scholars Programme

The standard Scholar places are funded by the organisation, group or individual sponsoring the nominated Scholar.

The published cost is £1,000 excluding VAT per Scholar.

This package covers the programme and specified conference benefits, including two nights' accommodation and selected conference events.

Travel expenses are not included and sponsors are asked to make additional arrangements for travel costs.

Therefore, it is more accurate to describe the standard opportunity as a sponsor-funded Scholar place rather than a £1,000 cash scholarship.

Breaking Barriers Scholarship

The Breaking Barriers route is different.

OFC, Severn Trent Water and M&S Food will fully fund eight places for eligible individuals who have experienced significant and identifiable barriers to entering the food, farming or agricultural sector.

Unlike the standard route, individuals apply directly to OFC for Breaking Barriers places.

Who Is Eligible for Breaking Barriers?

The Breaking Barriers opportunity is specifically designed to improve access to the agricultural and food sectors.

Applicants must:

• Be aged under 30
• Be UK residents
• Have an interest in food, farming or agriculture
• Have faced significant and identifiable barriers to entering the sector
• Be available to attend the required programme activities
• Be able to attend the January 2027 conference

Applicants do not necessarily need to be currently studying or working in agriculture.

The official criteria also state that applicants should be 18 to 30 years of age for the Breaking Barriers route.

Important Difference Between the Two Application Routes

Understanding the difference between the standard Scholars Programme and Breaking Barriers pathway is essential.

Standard Scholars

A sponsor, organisation or group nominates a specific person.

The sponsor applies on behalf of the proposed Scholar and pays the programme fee if the application is successful.

Breaking Barriers

Eligible individuals apply directly to OFC.

This pathway provides eight fully funded places and is specifically intended for UK residents who have experienced barriers to entering food, farming and agriculture.

2027 Programme Timeline

Applicants and sponsors should keep the following dates in mind:

Applications open: 17 September 2026

Application deadline: 16 October 2026

Shortlisting: Week commencing 19 October 2026

Candidates notified: Week commencing 26 October 2026

Supply Chain Day, London: 12 November 2026

Primary Production Day, Shropshire: 25 November 2026

Online webinars: 12 November–12 December 2026

Oxford Farming Conference 2027: 6–8 January 2027

Important Deadline Note

The official OFC programme page contains an inconsistent year reference in one section, but the programme schedule and OFC's announcement identify the application deadline as 16 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Applicants should therefore rely on the current official application instructions when submitting their application.

How to Apply for the Standard Scholars Programme

The standard programme is not an ordinary individual scholarship application.

A sponsor, organisation or group must nominate a named Scholar.

The application asks for information about:

• The sponsoring organisation or group
• The nominated Scholar
• The Scholar's background
• Current occupation or studies
• What the Scholar hopes to gain from the programme
• Why the organisation is nominating the individual
• The value OFC has provided to the organisation or group

The official application form also asks the sponsor to confirm that they understand the £1,000 plus VAT payment requirement if their nominated Scholar is selected.

How to Apply for Breaking Barriers

Breaking Barriers applicants apply directly to the Oxford Farming Conference rather than being nominated through a sponsor.

Applicants should explain the barriers they have experienced and how participation in the programme could help them gain access to opportunities within food, farming and agriculture.

Because this route is specifically designed for UK residents who have faced identifiable barriers, applicants should carefully review the official eligibility criteria before applying.

What Should Applicants Prepare?

If you are eligible for the relevant pathway, preparing early can improve the quality of your application.

Consider preparing:

A Clear Personal Profile

Explain your current studies, occupation, interests or career direction.

Your Interest in Food and Farming

You do not necessarily need to be an agriculture student, but you should be able to explain why the programme is relevant to your interests or future plans.

Your Development Goals

Think about the skills, knowledge and professional connections you hope to gain.

Your Networking Goals

Consider the types of people, organisations and sectors you would like to learn from.

Your Availability

Check that you can attend the required in-person activities and the January 2027 conference.

Why Should Young Professionals Consider the Programme?

The OFC Scholars Programme can provide several valuable benefits.

Professional Networking

Participants can connect with other young people and professionals across the food and farming sector.

Industry Exposure

The programme provides exposure to different areas of the agricultural and food supply chain.

Skills Development

Participants gain access to training and development activities designed to support future professional growth.

Conference Experience

Scholars can participate in one of the UK's major agricultural conferences.

Career Development

The programme can help participants better understand career opportunities across agriculture, food, business, sustainability and related sectors.

Cross-Sector Learning

Because the programme welcomes people from non-traditional backgrounds, participants can bring ideas from technology, business, science and other disciplines into conversations about the future of agriculture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027?

It is a professional development and networking programme for young people interested in food, farming, agriculture and related sectors. The 2027 edition combines in-person activities, online sessions and attendance at the Oxford Farming Conference.

How many Scholars will be selected in 2027?

There are 22 standard Scholar places and eight Breaking Barriers places, making 30 places across the two pathways.

Is the OFC Scholars Programme fully funded?

The funding depends on the route. Standard Scholar places are sponsor-funded and cost £1,000 excluding VAT per Scholar, with travel not included. The Breaking Barriers pathway fully funds eight eligible UK residents.

How much is the standard Scholar programme?

The published cost is £1,000 excluding VAT per Scholar. The fee covers the programme package and specified conference benefits. Travel expenses are separate.

Who can apply?

The programme welcomes people under 30 from agriculture and related areas as well as non-traditional sectors and backgrounds. Applicants must not have previously attended the Oxford Farming Conference.

Can people who did not study agriculture apply?

Yes. OFC specifically encourages applications from people who have not studied agri-food subjects and welcomes candidates from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

Can international applicants apply?

The standard Scholars Programme is not presented as a general individual international scholarship. Standard places require nomination and funding by a sponsor, organisation or group. The Breaking Barriers route specifically requires applicants to be UK residents. Prospective applicants outside the UK should therefore verify their circumstances directly with OFC before applying.

When is the application deadline?

The published programme schedule gives 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 16 October 2026 as the application deadline.

When is the Oxford Farming Conference 2027?

OFC27 is scheduled for 6–8 January 2027 in Oxford and online.

What partners are supporting the 2027 Scholars Programme?

The 2027 programme is being delivered with support from Severn Trent Water and M&S Food.

Final Thoughts

The Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027 provides young people with an opportunity to develop professional skills, expand their networks and gain exposure to the food, farming and agricultural sectors.

The programme is particularly interesting because it does not limit participation to traditional agriculture students. OFC welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and encourages people from non-traditional sectors to participate.

However, applicants should carefully distinguish between the standard Scholar pathway and the Breaking Barriers scholarship. The standard places are sponsor-funded rather than individual cash awards, while Breaking Barriers provides eight fully funded places for eligible UK residents who have experienced barriers to entering the sector.

The application deadline is 16 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m., so eligible candidates and sponsoring organisations should begin preparing well before the deadline.

For the latest eligibility requirements, application forms and programme information, applicants should consult the official Oxford Farming Conference website.

 Apply through the Oxford Farming Conference