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 will be notified in October 2024.
Benefits of getting a scholarship
As well as the $5,000, successful applicants will receive mentoring and development opportunities.
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
