Nuffield International has a number of strategic goals:
Our Vision
Nuffield International inspires people to make a difference in the world of agriculture. This work is
done by developing the individuals in agriculture who will shape the future of agriculture and our local
and global communities.
A non-profit organisation with a global footprint, Nuffield International encompasses our member
countries of Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.
In addition, Nuffield International leads efforts to support the engagement of the program into new
countries. Currently, Nuffield International is administering the development of the scholarship program
in Brazil, Chile, South Africa, and the United States of America - with a view to continually expand
this unique opportunity to other agriculturists from all over the world.
The aims of Nuffield International are to:
- Nurture the Nuffield Farming Scholars heritage and build on its legacy
- Develop and inspire leadership in individuals in agriculture
- Provide a model for existing and future member countries
- Encourage international agricultural communities and organisations to become involved with the
Nuffield program, increasing cooperative learning through the resulting globalised agricultural
network
- Promote resources and experts to inform and advise policy makers, governments, and NGOs and build
global reach in the world of agriculture
- Challenge thinking, encourage innovation, and ensure the transfer of knowledge and ideas locally and
globally
Our Scholars
With more than 1700 Nuffield Scholars around the world, these individuals are running farms and
agribusinesses, leading communities, serving as elected officials, and shaping global agriculture
practices and policies.
Each Nuffield Scholar steps out of their own life and activities during the year of their scholarship to
explore the world to find new best practices, ideas, insight, and resources to carry back home. Whether
they are investigating production agriculture, financial and succession planning topics, market trends,
or communications and outreach efforts, Nuffield Scholars dig into a topic of interest to them and of
value to the industry. Through this journey they become experts in their area of study, and an
invaluable resource to those around them.
All Nuffield Scholar study reports from 2006 on are available on this website. We encourage you to visit
and revisit these reports to learn about agriculture around the world, and glean insight on the future
of agriculture.
Our Investors
Nuffield Scholars are assisted by Investors, who support the scholar to research a topic relevant for
their industry sector. More than 100 Investors support scholars and their programs each year and we seek
support from Investors to promote, develop and inspire long-term leadership.
We invite you to become a part of our worldwide community and shared values to resolve the long-term
challenges of agricultural production, distribution, management and communication. Download the Investor Prospectus here.
Our History
The ethos and focus of the Nuffield International program owes a lot to its founder, William Morris (who
later became Lord Nuffield). Morris, an industrialist and philanthropist in the United Kingdom, made his
fortune building bicycles and later launching Morris Motor Company. As part of his journey to learn
about building cars, Morris sought out other leaders in the sector to see what they were doing. This
curiosity, experiential learning, and transformative travel helped shape his success, and it is the
foundation of the journey each Nuffield Scholar undertakes.
More detail on William Morris, his career and philanthropic focus, and the establishment of the Nuffield
Farming Scholars program in 1947 can be found in the book Nuffield, The Man by Caroline Nixon.
The Nuffield Scholar Journey
Being selected as a Nuffield Scholar is a privilege that not all who apply enjoy. It is an incredibly
competitive program, and there are typically only 70 to 80 Nuffield Scholars per year. It is, however, a
highly regarded network of agricultural leaders whose insight is sought around the world.
A Nuffield scholarship has three distinct segments:
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Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC)
This annual event is the blast-off for each new Nuffield Scholar. The entire group gathers
together for one time only, spending eight days exploring agriculture in the host country,
learning more about themselves and each other, and engaging with leaders in agriculture who help
reinforce the Nuffield vision and values.
-
Global Focus Program (GFP)
A number of Nuffield Scholars participate in a GFP experience, where a small group of 8 to 10
Scholars spend six weeks on the road together. The groups have the opportunity to dig into
agriculture in up to seven countries, literally making their way around the world as
agricultural explorers. For many participants, the GFP experience is the hallmark of their
Nuffield travels, broadening their horizons, cementing friendships, and giving them the chance
to understand other cultures and countries on a deeper level.
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Individual Research Travels and Report
Every Nuffield Scholar spends time traveling to investigate their individual research topic. The
culminating requirement of a Nuffield scholarship is a 10,000 word report, which is made
publicly available and adds to the knowledge base available to those in agriculture and those
looking to learn about agriculture. Nuffield Scholars typically also give multiple presentations
on their study topic, findings, and experience.
Following the travel time and report presentations, Nuffield Scholars are often highly sought speakers
for agricultural and community groups at home and abroad. They are looked to as leaders in the field,
and translators for what is happening elsewhere in the world.
Every three years all Nuffield Scholars are invited to attend the Nuffield Triennial. This engaging two
week gathering is supported by Nuffield International and provides attendees with the chance to renew
their Nuffield network, share in professional development with other curious leaders in agriculture, and
explore a new host country where top agricultural operations are opened to the group.
