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UPDATE – 13 NOVEMBER 2024

Scholarship recipients announced

The Government has awarded scholarships to 6 tertiary students as part of efforts to boost on-the-ground support for farmers and growers.

The On Farm Support Science Scholarships help build a knowledgeable advisory sector ready to provide practical, specialised support to our primary industries.

The scholarships, each valued at $5,000 have been awarded to:

  • Lincoln University students – Georgia Higinbottom, Ashton Robinson, and Henry Bartrum
  • Massey University students – Mac Williams and Ella Bryan
  • Otago University student – Georgie Burdon.

Government awards primary sector scholarships (media release 13 Nov 2024) – Beehive

Scholarships to support future on-farm advisers

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) runs a scholarship programme for tertiary students to help increase the number of on-farm advisers.

The On Farm Support Science Scholarships were launched in 2023 and are worth $5,000 each.

Six scholarships were offered for each of the 2024 and 2025 academic years. Applications for the 2025 academic year have closed.

Eligibility for a scholarship

To be eligible, applicants must be:

  • studying at a university or an institute of technology (listed on this page)
  • studying agriculture, horticulture, science, or viticulture in one of the approved degrees (listed on this page)
  • genuinely interested in joining the primary industry advisory sector
  • a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and
  • have completed their first year of study before the start of the relevant academic year.

Relevant degrees for the scholarships

Applicants must be enrolled in one of the following degrees.

Massey University

  • Bachelor of Agribusiness (BAgribusiness)
  • Bachelor of Agricultural Science (BAgSci)
  • Bachelor of Animal Science (BAnSci)
  • Bachelor of Horticultural Science (BHort Sci)
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc).

Lincoln University

  • Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing
  • Bachelor of Agricultural Science
  • Bachelor of Agriculture
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture and Professional Accounting)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture)
  • Bachelor of Science (Animal Science or Plant and Horticultural Science)
  • Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology.

University of Otago

Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Innovation).

Eastern Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science (EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti).

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)

Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking.

University of Waikato

Bachelor of Business with Agribusiness major, and an agriculture, horticulture, or viticulture minor.

The application process

Applications for the 2025 academic year opened on 19 August 2024 and closed at 5pm on 16 September 2024.

Successful scholarship recipients were announced in November 2024.

Benefits of getting a scholarship

As well as the $5,000, successful applicants will receive mentoring and development opportunities.

Media release: Government awards primary sector scholarships to tertiary students – Beehive

Media release: Expanded scholarship programme to grow on-the-ground support for farmers and growers

Media release: Government awards primary sector scholarships to students – Beehive

MPI supports farmers and growers

These scholarships help MPI build capacity and capability for the primary industries, particularly where there are skills and advisory gaps. It's part of our work to boost on-the-ground support for farmers, growers, and whenua Māori owners.

That work includes:

Find out about becoming a rural professional

Career pathways – NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management

MPI business units