January 31st sees the closing of the application season for the varied range of Colegrave Seabrook Foundation scholarships for 2023. Bursaries from £500 up to £5,000 are available to students studying a broad base of plant science and horticultural topics, on a full or part time basis, through a UK based university or college. 

The season for applications is open for a variety of scholarships which support students with the costs of their studies, from course fees to materials and resources, along with a number of other bursaries on more specialist areas of plant science and research. The on-line application process is easy and scholarships are not means tested. 

Elizabeth Snowden, studying for her RHS level 3 Practical Certificate in Horticulture at Askham Bryan, who was the winner of one of the Foundations scholarships funded by Blue Diamond Garden Centres said: “The scholarship has been incredible, it is a huge relief for me to have this financial support at such a difficult time and I appreciate it greatly. My studies go right through until June 2024 and I am enjoying them so much more now with some of the financial pressure eased a little. I am inspired by what I am learning and the people I am meeting - there’s just so many things one could do in horticulture and I just want to do them all!”

Students who demonstrate the right attitude, ability and ambition to make their career in one of the many branches of horticulture can apply for some financial support to help with costs of living, purchase of course materials, fees, travel costs or something as specific as the purchase of a new laptop or other tools to assist their studies.  

Zara Snow (above), a BSc Horticulture student at Writtle University in Essex, has used her funding, to join in a study tour to the Netherlands and Finland where they have looked at a wide range of horticultural applications from herb farming to flower marketing and agroforestry. Zara commented:  “The funding I received from the Blue Diamond Scholarship allowed me to experience elements of the horticulture and food production industries abroad, giving me a greater understanding of the sector. I am very grateful to have had this support.”

College lecturers play an important part in the application process, bringing the opportunities to the attention of students that the Foundation’s scholarships provide and supporting their applications. Students who are perhaps unsure can also contact the Foundation direct or one of the Trustees for advice.

Foundation Trustee, Neil Gow said: “Students should focus their application on demonstrating their ambition and attitude as well as their aptitude rather than getting to hung up on which scholarship to apply for. As a board of Trustees as we asses each application and we will we often find funds to support from another of our funds as we look for people who want to go places and do things in their career in professional horticulture.”  

Richard Moore who has recently graduated from Edinburgh University with a distinction in his MSc in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants in conjunction with The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, has just returned from Nepal and Vietnam. During a 170km trek in Nepal, climbing to an altitude over 5,000m the wide biodiversity and botany has been observed and work collecting specimens for Kew Gardens.

Richard commented on his recent return: “The scholarship means a great deal to me as I never would have thought a few years ago that I’d have the chance to travel to places like this. The opportunity to do field work and the experience one gains from such activities is so enriching and educational and I’ll always be grateful for the support given to me by the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.”

You will find full details and application advice for the range of Scholarships including those supported by Blue Diamond, Smart Garden Products and Ball Horticulture as well as those scholarships offered in conjunction with the Royal Society of Biology and Majestic Trees.

All details are on the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation website, but do not delay as the deadline is looming and applications close on the 31st January 2024. www.colegraveseabrookfoundation.org.uk