Return of Oxford Farming Conference Breaking Barriers Scholarship

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC), in partnership with McDonald’s UK, is delighted to announce the return of the successful Breaking Barriers Scholarship which will support two individuals to attend the Conference in January as part of the 2022 Scholars’ Programme.

The scholarship, which launched last year, looks to support diversity and inclusion within the agricultural industry by offering candidates who reflect a broad diversity of backgrounds, geographies and academic experiences, or who come from outside of the agri-food sector but are keen to enter it, the opportunity to participate in this prestigious programme.

OFC Director and International Business Development Manager for UK AgriTech centre, Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), Dr Jenna Ross, is chairing this year’s OFC Scholars’ Programme:

“I am absolutely thrilled that the Breaking Barriers Scholarship will be returning to the Oxford Farming Conference 2022. This scholarship provides an amazing opportunity for enthusiastic and passionate young individuals, no matter their background or experience, to attend the conference as part of the OFC Scholars’ Programme.

“This year is particularly exciting as we are launching a new upskilling element to the programme, which complements the peer-to-peer networking.  I firmly believe that the new and exciting changes to the January 2022 Scholars’ Programme provide an excellent opportunity for Scholars to experience the UK’s leading agricultural conference while gaining valuable skills.”

Candidates are not required to have any previous qualifications or to be working in the industry. Candidates should be aged between 22 and 30 years of age and have not previously attended the conference.

Over the last nine years, the OFC Scholars’ Programme, sponsored by McDonald’s, has supported more than 400 scholars, through networking, workshops, and events.

Harriet Wilson, Agriculture Manager at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said:

“At McDonald’s, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is absolutely paramount, which is why we launched the Breaking Barriers Scholarship last year.

“Following the positive response, we’re delighted to announce the return of it in 2022, and provide further opportunities for candidates from non-agri and diverse backgrounds to attend the Oxford Farming Conference. We hope the Scholarship continues to inspire candidates from any background to consider a future career in the industry.”

The Oxford Farming Conference Scholars’ Programme will embrace a hybrid model for 2022 with the opportunity to attend the live conference in January 2022, as well as access a series of online bespoke upskilling webinars that will be made exclusively available to the Scholars’ Programme.

For full details on the programme and to apply, head to the OFC website. Deadlines for applications close on 17 September 2021.