Black Isles bursary scheme open
Application conditions
Black Isle Farmers’ Society is pleased to announce the opening of its bursary scheme for 2023.
Applications for a bursary award geared towards young people to study and gain qualifications in a farming or agriculturally related subject are open. Courses can be either educational or vocational.
But young people are being urged to get in quick as there is just six weeks to apply.
The Black Isle Farmers’ Society Bursary is open to young people between the ages of 16 and 26 and applications are invited from those who live, study or work in the Highlands and islands or have strong connections to the area.
David McKenzie, president of the society, said: “We are delighted to be continuing with the bursary scheme. In 2022 we made eight awards and we are looking forward to seeing what applications come in this year.
“Since the bursary scheme started, we have made over 50 awards.
“Examples of the types of areas that the bursary has been awarded for include land management studies, veterinary medicine courses, HGV licences, and sheep shearing courses, chainsaw courses to name but a few.
“Full details of how to apply and the conditions can be found below, or on the Black Isle Show website, however we want to ensure that people know that they only have until April 15 to apply.”
The Black Isle Farmers’ Society Bursary is open to young people between the ages of 16 and 26 years that is, between their 16th and 26th birthdays at the closing date of April 15, 2023.
Applications are invited from people who live, study or work in the Highlands and islands or have strong connections to the area.
▮ Applications are invited from individuals only
▮ Previous applicants can apply subject to the criteria
▮ Applicants applying for assistance with travel-related projects or larger amounts may be required to complete a further form and/or may be required to attend an interview. Successful recipients of larger awards will be asked to give a presentation to society members – at an AGM, trophy presentation, or president’s dinner
▮ Successful applicants will need to present evidence of how they have benefited from the award. Applicants will also be required to make a short video clip telling how they have benefited from the award which will be used for promoting the bursary in future years.
▮ In addition, successful applicants will have to have an involvement in Black Isle Farmers’ Society events and activities during the year, most especially the Black Isle Show on the first Thursday in August each year.
Awards will be made subject to availability of funds. Awards will be made at the discretion of the bursary panel and each application will be treated on its own merits.
There will be two main areas of award: vocational and educational.
Examples:
▮ Agriculture Agri-business
▮ Agricultural engineering
▮ Agri-food
▮ Animal science
▮ Diversification projects
▮ IT and innovative projects
▮ Countryside management
▮ Land management
▮ Rural environment
▮ Training courses for spraying ticket; forklift ticket; trailer ticket; vertebrate control
Please note that the list is not exhaustive. above If you think that your particular course, award or training will fit in with either vocational or educational, please apply.
Previous awards have been for trailer tests; veterinary science studies; forklift training; potato roguing courses etc.
The society reserve the right to pay any award in instalments, and should this be deemed appropriate they will advise successful applicants as necessary.
Awards should be used by the end of March 2024, and the society will monitor this. Any extension to this period is solely at the discretion of the society. The society reserve the right to recall all or part of the funding awarded if the conditions of the award are not met.