NFU Mutual, the UK's leading rural insurer, is once again offering its Centenary Award for postgraduate students in agriculture.

The closing date for applications is April 30, and prospective postgraduate students interested in applying for the award are being encouraged to enter.

The award provides bursaries to pay up to 75 per cent of course fees for selected agricultural students who are undertaking a postgraduate course in Autumn 2017.

The Centenary Award was first launched by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust in2010 to celebrate NFU Mutual's 100th birthday, and to date 29 agricultural students have benefitted from bursary payments to help further their studies.

Craig Simpson, from East Lothian, was awarded with a Centenary Award bursary in 2016.

He said: "The Centenary Award has provided a fantastic opportunity to further my understanding of strategic farm business management.

"I can’t thank NFU Mutual and the Charitable Trust enough.”

The 2017 award is open to students who have gained, or are expected to gain, a 2:1 or above in agriculture or a closely related degree, and have been accepted on a Master of PhD course in agriculture within the UK.

To select the students, the award's judging panel will be looking for applicants who are not only excellent academic performers but are also passionate about making an impact within UK agriculture.

Postgraduate students who think they may be eligible to apply for the Centenary award should contact centenary_award@nfumutual.co.uk, to request further details and an application form ahead of the April 30 deadline.

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For more information on NFU Mutual, please visit NFUmutual.co.uk