The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Centenary Award 2026

Three promising postgraduate agricultural students from across the UK have been selected to receive a ‘Centenary Award’ bursary from the The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.

We launched the Centenary Award to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2010; to support agricultural leaders of the future, and champion research and innovation within the industry. It provides annual bursaries to pay up to 75% of course fees for selected postgraduate students in agriculture. To date, 60 young people have received help through the award to further their education.

The three selected recipients for 2026 are (pictured left to right below):

• Karen Fisher from Shropshire: PhD Neurodiversity in UK Agriculture, Harper Adams University
• George Sensecall from Derbyshire: MSc Agricultural Economics, University of Reading
• Kirsty Naismith from Aberdeenshire: MSc Agroecology and Sustainable Management, Harper Adams University

Karen’s study will explore the experiences of neurodivergent people working in UK agriculture, examining challenges such as stress, burnout and exclusion, as well as the strengths they bring to the sector. Karen is undertaking the PhD to make a positive contribution to the agricultural workforce in the UK, and the research will develop practical recommendations to improve wellbeing, inclusion, workforce retention and resilience.

Karen explained more: “My interest in this area comes from both professional and personal experience within agriculture. Having worked in the sector for over 20 years across farming, advisory and environmental roles, I have repeatedly observed neurodivergent individuals struggling with stress, burnout, communication challenges and feelings of not fitting within traditional agricultural environments. At the same time, I have also seen exceptional creativity, problem-solving ability, innovation and resilience that often go unrecognised.”

George is undertaking his Masters on a full-time basis over one year to study Agricultural Economics course at the University of Reading to support long-term profitability for the UK agri-food sector and help to strengthen food security for the British public.

George explained more: “The course at the University of Reading is built around using grounded, data-driven economics to tackle complex agrifood challenges. I’m passionate about supporting farmers across the UK and helping the sector navigate the challenges it faces. I’m particularly interested in how complex market pressures can be translated into effective agricultural policy that strengthens financial stability and supports farmer wellbeing. This MSc will give me the knowledge and skills to contribute to policies that make a meaningful difference.”

Kirsty was selected for the award to support her Masters in Agroecology and Sustainable Management in Agriculture at Harper Adams University. Kirsty’s course will explore how soil health, biodiversity and regenerative farming practices can improve the long-term resilience of agricultural systems.

Kirsty explained more: “Agroecology and sustainable management are increasingly important for UK agriculture, as farmers face the combined challenges of climate change, declining biodiversity, rising input costs and the need to produce food sustainably. Developing resilient agricultural systems is essential if UK farmers are to continue producing food sustainably while maintaining profitable businesses. I am very grateful to have received the support of this prestigious award for my studies.”

Announcing the award’s recipients for 2026, Jim McLaren MBE, NFU Mutual Chairman, said: “The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust is committed to promoting and supporting agriculture and rural development across the UK. Agricultural education is one of our key objectives, helping to build the skills, knowledge and innovation needed to support the long-term resilience of UK farming.

“Our Centenary Award bursary scheme brings this commitment to life by championing research and innovation and supporting talented individuals to develop their careers within the agricultural industry. We are delighted to support Karen’s, George’s and Kirsty’s postgraduate studies and wish them all every success. I would also like to thank our judging panel for the time and expertise they dedicated to selecting this year’s recipients.”

Prospective post graduate agricultural students who would like to find out more about the award scheme can contact centenary_award@nfumutual.co.uk.

To find out more about the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and NFU Mutual’s other initiatives to support rural communities, please visit our main Community Support page. 

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