The John Innes Foundation Undergraduate Bursary Award Scheme supports one student per year who is taking a three- or four-year degree course in Agriculture or a related discipline. This opportunity provides not only a bursary to cover course fees, but also mentoring from Keith Norman, JIF Trustee, farming consultant and former director at Velcourt UK. The student will also benefit from work experience opportunities during university breaks with placements offered at many organisations including NIAB, Hutchinsons and the National Trust Farms.
Our mission is to advance the acquisition and application of knowledge about plants and microbes for societal, environmental and commercial benefit. We delivers our mission by:
- Supporting scientific research, education, training and public engagement
- Maintaining and exploiting a unique historical collection of books and other documents
- Emphasising the importance of innovation in agriculture and horticulture
- Working in close association with a range of partners, including John Innes Centre, University of East Anglia and Anglia Innovation Partners LLP.
The Foundation has a long and generous history of supporting education, and the undergraduate bursary scheme was established in 2017.
Peter Innes, Chairman of the John Innes Foundation commented, ‘previous award winners are starting to demonstrate how the Foundation bursaries have helped in launching their careers; and now we’re collaborating with RNAA on selecting recipients, we’re even more confident that the bursaries will give a leg up to young people who are financially stretched and have no family involvement in farming.’
The bursary scheme is administrated and supported by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.
Mark Nicholas, Managing Director said ‘the RNAA is delighted to partner with the John Innes Foundation to find exceptional candidates for this bursary opportunity. As an organisation supporting young people our mission is to ensure that we help enable potential and raise aspirations.’
Hear from former students:
Daisy Readman, JIF Bursar 2024 (pictured above), Harper Adams University:
“As someone who is not from a farming background, I am extremely grateful to have been awarded the John Innes Foundation Bursary as it will be invaluable in allowing me to pursue my interest in agriculture. The bursary will provide me with both the financial support, and importantly the mentoring and contacts to gain the necessary agronomic and practical hands-on experience, which I otherwise might not have had access to. This will enable me to help farmers & growers adapt to the challenges in the future and hopefully have a meaningful impact on the industry.”
Barrie Fletcher, JIF Bursar 2023, Writtle University:
‘‘I’m thrilled to be awarded the bursary as it opens doors for me to forge valuable industry connections and deepen my knowledge. This opportunity is a stepping stone to both professional growth and expanding my network.’’
Kate Pritchard, JIF Bursar 2023, Newcastle University:
‘‘I am delighted and very grateful that the John Innes Foundation has supported me in my education and in my goal of having a successful career in British agriculture.’’
Charlie Rogers, JIF Bursar 2022, Royal Agricultural University:
‘This prestigious bursary has allowed me to further develop my connections with agricultural businesses and focus more of my finances on improving my practical skills in the land-based sector.’
Conditions of the Bursary
The successful student will be shortlisted and selected through a combination of written application and interview. To be eligible you must satisfy the following criteria:
- You must be a UK National.
- From a non-farming background
- Have the need for financial assistance to complete the university course*.
- Enrolled on a full time, three-year, BSc (Hons) degree course in either Agriculture, Crop Production or Environmental Science.
- The student will pursue a career in the UK post-graduation.
- The bursary may also be extended to second- or third-year students, where situations may have changed within the family, making them eligible in terms of financial need.
*Please note that if shortlisted you will be required to provide evidence of financial need via a third-party financial audit assessment to justify the award of the bursary. Financial need is assessed on the amount of disposable income available in your household.
The bursary will be paid at the beginning of each term and is discretionary on the student’s progress, tutor’s reports and attendance record. The bursary will cover the full annual cost of tuition fees, for full-time undergraduate students eligible for home fee status (UK nationals).
The Johns Innes Foundation Bursary Award Scheme is now accepting applications, and the closing date is Friday 3rd October 2025. Further information is available from Keith Norman, JIF Trustee.
To apply click here to fill in an application form. (https://form.jotform.com/250873459911061)
The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) is appointed by the John Innes Foundation trustees to help promote and administrate the JIF Undergraduate Bursary Award Scheme. By submitting your application you are agreeing to the RNAA contacting you for marketing purposes.
