Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027 | Fully Funded Breaking Barriers Scholarship

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) Scholars Programme 2027 is a professional development and networking opportunity for young people interested in agriculture, food, farming and related sectors. The OFC Scholars Programme 2027 marks 25 years since the programme began and offers selected Scholars access to the Oxford Farming Conference, skills development, networking, in-person events and online sessions.

For 2027, the programme is being delivered in partnership with Severn Trent Water and M&S. The programme will use a hybrid format, combining the live Oxford Farming Conference in January 2027 with in-person gatherings and online sessions.

A separate OFC Breaking Barriers Scholarship 2027 will fully fund eight individuals who are UK residents, aged under 30, interested in food, farming or agriculture, and who have experienced barriers to entering the sector.

ALSO READ: Wellington Doctoral Scholarship 2027 | $32,000 Annual Stipend + Tuition Fees in New Zealand

About the Oxford Farming Conference

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) is an agricultural conference that brings together people connected to farming, food, agriculture and related areas. Through its Scholars Programme, OFC supports younger participants by providing opportunities for networking, skills development and exposure to important discussions within the agricultural sector.

The OFC Scholars Programme 2027 is designed to support the future generation of agriculture by bringing together young people from a wide range of academic, geographical and professional backgrounds.

Importantly, applicants do not necessarily need to have studied agriculture or an agri-food subject. The programme welcomes individuals from non-traditional sectors and backgrounds.

Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027 Overview

The Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027 provides selected participants with opportunities to develop their professional networks, learn from people across the food and farming sector and attend the 2027 Oxford Farming Conference.

Key details

• Programme: Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027
• Conference: OFC 2027
• Conference dates: 6–8 January 2027
• Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
• Programme format: Hybrid
• Scholar places: 22 individually sponsored Scholar places
• Breaking Barriers places: 8 fully funded places
• Age: Generally under 30 for the Scholars Programme
• Breaking Barriers: 18–30 years old
• Conference accommodation: Included for Scholar places
• Meals: Included as stated by OFC
• Scholar place cost: £1,000 excluding VAT for sponsors
• Travel: Not included for the standard Scholar place
• Breaking Barriers funding: Fully funded
• Standard application deadline: 5pm, 16 October 2026

Who Is the OFC Scholars Programme 2027 Suitable For?

The OFC Scholars Programme 2027 is aimed at young people who want to expand their understanding of agriculture, food and farming while developing professional relationships and leadership-related skills.

The programme welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds.

You may be suitable for the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme if you:

• Are under 30 years old.
• Have not previously attended the Oxford Farming Conference.
• Have an interest in agriculture, food, farming or related areas.
• Come from an agricultural or non-agricultural background.
• Want to develop professional networks.
• Are interested in learning from people across different parts of the sector.
• Want exposure to discussions taking place within the UK agricultural sector.

Applicants do not have to have studied an agriculture or agri-food subject.

What Does the OFC Scholars Programme 2027 Include?

The OFC Scholars Programme 2027 combines several activities designed to provide professional development and networking opportunities.

Selected Scholars can take part in:

1. Oxford Farming Conference 2027

Scholars have the opportunity to attend the main OFC 2027 conference from 6 to 8 January 2027 in Oxford.

2. Supply Chain Day

The first in-person Scholar event is scheduled for 12 November 2026 in London.

3. Primary Production Day

The second in-person event is scheduled for 25 November 2026 at Harper Adams in Shropshire.

4. Online Webinars

Online webinars will be hosted between 12 November and 12 December 2026, with details to be confirmed for successful candidates.

5. Networking

The programme is designed to encourage peer-to-peer networking, allowing young participants to exchange ideas and perspectives.

6. Skills Development

The OFC Scholars Programme provides access to key skills development training intended to help participants build skills for their future careers.

OFC Breaking Barriers Scholarship 2027

The OFC Breaking Barriers Scholarship 2027 is a separate part of the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme.

For 2027, eight individuals will receive full funding through the Breaking Barriers Scholarship, in partnership with Severn Trent Water and M&S.

Unlike the standard Scholar places, individuals must apply directly for the Breaking Barriers Scholarship rather than being nominated through an organisation, business or charity.

The Breaking Barriers programme includes the complete OFC 2027 Scholars Programme, together with additional activities.

These include:

• An online introductory call with the Breaking Barriers cohort and OFC Directors.
• An additional day with an overnight stay on 24 November 2026.
• Attendance at the full Scholar Programme.
• Attendance at the Oxford Farming Conference in January 2027.

Who Can Apply for the Breaking Barriers Scholarship?

The OFC Breaking Barriers Scholarship 2027 is intended for people who have faced significant and identifiable barriers to accessing the food, farming and agricultural sector.

Applicants do not need to currently work or study in agriculture.

The stated criteria include:

• Age: 18 to 30 years old.
• Residence: Must be resident in the UK.
• Able to attend the full two-day conference in Oxford in January 2027.
• Able to attend the full Scholar Programme.
• Able to attend the additional Breaking Barriers day.
• Have an interest in food, farming and/or the agricultural sector.
• Have experienced barriers to entering the industry.

Applicants are asked to provide information about the barriers they have faced as part of the application.

Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme Schedule

The OFC Scholars Programme 2027 follows a structured schedule beginning with applications in September 2026.

Activity	Date
Applications open	17 September 2026
Applications close	16 October 2026
OFC application shortlisting	Week commencing 19 October 2026
Candidates notified	Week commencing 26 October 2026
Supply Chain Day, London	12 November 2026
Primary Production Day, Harper Adams	25 November 2026
Online webinars	12 November–12 December 2026
OFC 2027	6–8 January 2027
Additional Breaking Barriers gathering	24 November 2026

Important: The source page contains one reference to an application deadline of 16 October 2027, but the programme schedule and Breaking Barriers section state 5pm on Friday 16 October 2026. Applicants should verify the deadline on the official OFC application page before submitting.

Funding and Costs

The standard OFC Scholars Programme 2027 is funded through individual sponsors, organisations or groups.

The cost for a Scholar place is £1,000 excluding VAT.

According to OFC, this includes:

• Two nights’ accommodation.
• Chair’s Welcome Reception.
• Oxford Union Debate.
• Iconic Christ Church dinner.
• Full conference ticket.
• Scholar programme activities as described by OFC.

However, travel costs are not included in the £1,000 excluding VAT cost. Sponsors are asked to make additional arrangements for travel costs and reimbursement with their nominated Scholar.

The Breaking Barriers Scholarship is different because eight places will be fully funded by OFC, Severn Trent Water and M&S.

How Does the Standard OFC Scholarship Application Work?

The standard OFC Scholars Programme 2027 application is made on behalf of a proposed Scholar.

A sponsor, organisation or group can apply for a Scholar place using the OFC online application form.

The application must identify the proposed Scholar and explain:

• Who the proposed Scholar is.
• Their background.
• How they could benefit from the programme.
• Why the opportunity is relevant to them.

Applications are reviewed by the OFC Directors.

A total of 22 individuals will be offered places through the individually sponsored Scholar programme.

Places are not confirmed until the required payment has been received.

How to Prepare for the OFC Scholars Programme Application

If you are being nominated for the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme, prepare information that clearly explains your background, interests and potential benefit from the programme.

Focus on:

Your interest in agriculture and food

Explain what connects you to agriculture, farming, food, land management, sustainability or related areas.

Your wider background

The programme welcomes people from different academic and professional backgrounds, so applicants should clearly explain their experience rather than assuming they need a traditional agricultural qualification.

Your future goals

Describe the skills, knowledge and networks you hope to develop through participation in the OFC Scholars Programme.

Your contribution

Consider the perspectives, experiences and ideas you could bring to a diverse group of Scholars.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants and sponsors should carefully review the requirements before submitting an application.

Common issues to avoid include:

• Missing the application deadline.
• Providing incomplete information.
• Failing to explain how the Scholar could benefit.
• Assuming an agriculture degree is mandatory when OFC welcomes applicants from outside the sector.
• Confusing the standard Scholar application with the Breaking Barriers application.
• Failing to check the UK residency requirement for Breaking Barriers.
• Not considering attendance requirements for the in-person programme and January conference.
• Assuming travel expenses are included in the standard £1,000 Scholar place.

How Competitive Is the OFC Scholars Programme?

The Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027 has a limited number of places.

The standard programme states that it is limited to 22 individually sponsored individuals, while the Breaking Barriers Scholarship provides eight fully funded places.

Because places are limited, applicants should provide clear and relevant information demonstrating who they are and how they would benefit from participation.

OFC does not state a selection rate in the supplied information, so no acceptance-rate figure can be confirmed.

JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP

Career and Professional Development Opportunities

The OFC Scholars Programme 2027 can provide exposure to people and ideas across agriculture, food and farming.

Participants can use the experience to develop:

• Professional networks.
• Peer-to-peer connections.
• Sector knowledge.
• Communication and discussion skills.
• Understanding of agricultural supply chains.
• Exposure to primary production.
• Connections with other young professionals.

The programme is particularly relevant to people interested in building a career connected to the future of food and farming.

Similar Agriculture Scholarships and Opportunities

People interested in the Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027 may also wish to explore other opportunities related to:

• Agricultural scholarships.
• Farming leadership programmes.
• Food and agriculture fellowships.
• Young farmer programmes.
• Sustainable agriculture opportunities.
• Agricultural research programmes.
• Food systems internships.
• Environmental and land-management programmes.
• Rural development opportunities.

Eligibility, funding and deadlines vary between programmes, so applicants should always check the official information for each opportunity.

Official Application Information

For the standard OFC Scholars Programme 2027, sponsors, organisations or groups should use the official OFC Scholar application process.

For the OFC Breaking Barriers Scholarship 2027, individuals apply directly through OFC.

Applicants should check the official Oxford Farming Conference website for the latest application instructions, eligibility requirements and deadline information before submitting an application.

Final Thoughts

The Oxford Farming Conference Scholars Programme 2027 offers young people an opportunity to participate in one of the UK’s major agricultural conference programmes while developing networks, skills and knowledge.

The 2027 programme is particularly significant because it marks 25 years of the OFC Scholars Programme and introduces a partnership with Severn Trent Water and M&S.

The OFC Breaking Barriers Scholarship 2027 provides an additional route for eligible UK residents who are aged 18–30 and have experienced barriers to entering the food, farming and agricultural sector.

If you are interested in agriculture, food, farming or related fields, carefully review the official OFC requirements, prepare your application information early and confirm the latest deadline directly with OFC before applying.