Overview
- Applications open on 5 October 2026 for the 2027 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship, supporting university students to build the skills, networks and industry experience needed for careers in Australian agriculture.
- Successful applicants receive a $5,000 annual bursary for two years, plus leadership training, professional development, industry placements and access to a national network.
- The program delivers strong outcomes, with 96% of participants increasing their leadership confidence, 89% of graduates employed within six months, and graduates progressing two to three years faster than their peers.
Applications are now open for the 2027 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship, giving university students the opportunity to build the skills, networks and industry experience needed to help shape the future of Australian agriculture.
Delivered in partnership with Australian Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDC's) and industry sponsors, the scholarship connects students with practical experiences that can support their transition from study into meaningful careers across agriculture and related sectors.
Successful applicants receive a $5,000 annual bursary for two years, along with professional development, leadership training, industry placements and access to a national network of scholars, alumni and industry leaders.
The scholarship is open to full-time university students studying an agriculture-related degree, or a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree with agriculture-aligned subjects, who have two years of study remaining.
"Australia's rural industries need talented, connected and leadership-ready people who can respond to change and turn new ideas into practical outcomes," AgriFutures Australia Manager, Capacity Building, Sarah Hope said.
"The Scholarship offers more than financial support. It helps students build confidence, experience and relationships they need to understand where they can make a difference. It also gives industry an opportunity to connect with emerging talent before graduation."
Through industry placements, leadership development and exposure to different parts of the agriculture sector, scholars can apply what they are learning and explore the breadth of careers available to them.
For sponsors, the scholarship is an investment in long-term workforce capability. Sponsors can help build relevant skills, mentor future leaders and strengthen the pipeline of people ready to contribute across rural industries.
Building capability beyond the classroom
AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship impact data shows:
- 96% of participants increased their leadership confidence
- 89% of graduates were employed within six months of graduating
- Career progression was two to three years faster than their peers
A scholar's experience
Growing up in metropolitan Australia, Annalise Magill maintained strong connections to agriculture through her family's dairy and fruit farming background. Travelling through rural Australia further strengthened her appreciation of the role farmers play in supporting communities, producing food and fibre, and contributing to the national economy.
Now studying Agricultural Science with a major in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics, Annalise is one of the 2026 AgriFutures Horizon Scholars supported by Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC). Through the scholarship, she is building the networks, industry knowledge and practical experience needed to pursue a career focused on developing evidence-based solutions that support both farmers and natural systems.
"I applied for the Horizon Scholarship because I wanted to connect with like-minded agricultural students and immerse myself further in the industry," Annalise said.
"I was excited by the opportunity to explore different pathways within agriculture, build connections and discover where my career could take me."
A highlight of the program for Annalise has been attending the Cotton Conference, where she met mentors, industry leaders and other emerging professionals. The experience broadened her understanding of career opportunities across Australian agriculture and helped shape her plans for future industry placements and professional development.
"There is something really special about having so much of the industry in one room and being able to have genuine conversations and build connections in person," she said.
"Seeing so many career pathways and opportunities encouraged me to think bigger about where my career could go, and to start planning the experiences I would like to pursue through the Horizon Scholarship."
Annalise encourages other students with a passion for agriculture to consider applying for the program.
"The scholarship gives you access to rooms and conversations you may not otherwise have the chance to be part of," she said.
"You meet people, discover pathways you may never have considered and gain a much broader view of the opportunities available across agriculture."
Who can apply
Eligible students must:
- Be enrolled full-time at an Australian university in an agriculture-related degree, or a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree with agriculture-aligned subjects
- Have two years of study remaining
- Have had no more than a two-year break between periods of full-time study.
Applications
Applications for the 2027 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship open on 5 October 2026 and close on 13 November 2026.
