Richard Oatley

Agriculture Bursary Scheme

The Richard Oatley Foundation are proud to launch the Richard Oatley Agricultural Bursary Scheme, a new initiative supporting the next generation of farmers and agricultural workers in Somerset and Wiltshire.

Developed and delivered in partnership with the Frome and District Agricultural Society, the bursary scheme is aimed at young people with an ambition to work in farming and agriculture, and those currently in the sector who want to push themselves to the next level.

The Richard Oatley Foundation want to encourage and support young people who see agriculture and farming as their future, by providing one-off bursaries of up to £3,000. Bursaries can be used to support education and training costs, business research and development initiatives , or travel to experience other farming environments and practices.

Applicants must have genuine interest in farming and agriculture and will be able to demonstrate how a bursary award will enable them to progress towards a career in the sector or help them take the next step in their careers.

The Richard Oatley Foundation is looking to award up to six bursaries in 2026 to young people aged between 18 and 25.

Recipients of a bursary award will be asked to provide a brief report, a video or a blog piece to demonstrate the benefits of the Foundations support and how they met their objectives. This may be used in promotion of the bursary scheme in future years.