Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027

The Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027 is inviting applications from young people under the age of 30 who want to develop their professional skills, expand their networks and engage with emerging ideas across agriculture, food, business, science, technology and related sectors.

The 2027 programme marks 25 years since the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme was established. For this edition, the Oxford Farming Conference is working with Severn Trent Water and M&S to deliver a hybrid programme combining in person gatherings, bespoke online sessions and participation in the Oxford Farming Conference from 6 to 8 January 2027.

The programme is designed to support the next generation of leaders by giving young people opportunities for peer networking, skills development, professional exposure and participation in discussions about the future of food and farming.

About the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme

The Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme provides young people with a structured professional development experience connected to one of the UK’s leading agricultural conferences.

The 2027 programme will combine:

• Peer to peer networking
• Skills development training
• Bespoke online sessions
• In person professional development events
• Exposure to different parts of the food and farming system
• Participation in the Oxford Farming Conference
• Opportunities to engage with professionals and emerging leaders

The programme welcomes participants from agriculture and related sectors, including those who have never studied an agri food subject.

The two in person Scholar events will take place in London on 12 November 2026 and at Harper Adams in Shropshire on 25 November 2026. Online webinars will take place between 12 November and 12 December 2026.

The main conference will take place in Oxford from 6 to 8 January 2027. The conference theme for 2027 is “Harmony”, with sessions covering politics and business, trade and policy, environment and science, social issues and people, water, farming and the future of agriculture.

Programme Benefits

Successful Scholars can benefit from:

• Full participation in the Oxford Farming Conference 2027
• Two nights of accommodation
• Meals included within the conference programme
• Chair’s Welcome Reception
• Oxford Union Debate
• Christ Church dinner
• Two dedicated in person Scholar events
• Bespoke online sessions
• Peer networking
• Skills development opportunities
• Exposure to agriculture and food sector professionals
• Opportunities to develop leadership and professional relationships

For the standard Scholars Programme, the Scholar place costs £1,000 excluding VAT and is paid by the sponsoring organisation, group or sponsor. Travel costs are not included and sponsors are expected to make separate arrangements for travel expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

For the general Scholars Programme:

• Applicants must be under 30 years old
• Applicants must not have previously attended the Oxford Farming Conference
• Applicants can come from agriculture or other sectors
• Applicants can have academic backgrounds outside agriculture and agri food subjects
• Applicants should be available for the required programme activities
• A sponsor, organisation or group must nominate the Scholar for the standard programme
• The nominated Scholar should demonstrate potential benefit from participating in the programme

For Breaking Barriers:

• Applicants must be aged 18 to 30
• Applicants must be resident in the UK
• Applicants must be able to attend the full two day conference in Oxford in January 2027
• Applicants must be able to attend the full Scholar Programme
• Applicants should have an interest in food, farming or agriculture
• Applicants should have faced significant and identifiable barriers to accessing the sector

The Breaking Barriers route accepts applications directly from individuals rather than requiring an organisation to nominate them.

Programme Schedule

The key dates for the 2027 programme include:

• Applications opened on 17 September 2026
• Applications close on 16 October 2026 at 5pm
• Shortlisting takes place during the week commencing 19 October 2026
• Candidates are expected to be notified during the week commencing 26 October 2026
• Supply Chain Day takes place in London on 12 November 2026
• Breaking Barriers additional gathering takes place on 24 November 2026
• Primary Production Day takes place at Harper Adams in Shropshire on 25 November 2026
• Online webinars take place between 12 November and 12 December 2026
• Oxford Farming Conference takes place from 6 to 8 January 2027

Required Application Information

For the standard Scholars Programme, the application form requires information about both the nominating organisation and the proposed Scholar.

Applicants and sponsors should be prepared to provide:

• Name and contact details of the nominating organisation or group
• Name and contact details of the proposed Scholar
• Scholar date of birth
• Scholar location and UK residency information
• Previous attendance information
• Scholar LinkedIn or Instagram information where available
• Confirmation of availability for the two Scholar events
• Current role, occupation or studies
• Explanation of what the Scholar hopes to gain from the programme
• Reasons for nominating the Scholar
• Information about the value of the Oxford Farming Conference to the nominating organisation
• Confirmation that the sponsor understands the £1,000 plus VAT programme cost if selected

The official application form indicates that several of the written responses have a maximum length of 150 words.

Selection Process

Applications for the standard programme are reviewed by the Oxford Farming Conference Directors.

The programme will select 22 Scholars through the sponsor led application route. A further eight places are available through the Breaking Barriers scholarship.

The application process considers who the proposed Scholar is, their background, their potential benefit from participating and the reasons they have been nominated.

How to Apply

1. Review the official Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme information.
2. Determine whether you are applying through the standard Scholars Programme or the Breaking Barriers route.
3. For the standard programme, identify a sponsor, organisation or group that can nominate you.
4. Prepare information about your background, current role or studies and professional development goals.
5. Explain why you would benefit from participating in the Scholars Programme.
6. Ensure that you can attend the required in person activities and the Oxford Farming Conference in January 2027.
7. Submit the appropriate online application before 5pm on 16 October 2026.
8. If applying through Breaking Barriers, use the dedicated individual application route and provide information about the barriers you have faced in accessing the food, farming and agricultural sector.