The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, in partnership with Hillier Nurseries, has launched an exciting new bursary offering aspiring horticulturists a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience at one of the world’s most respected nurseries. This bursary is funded by The Royal Horticultural Society Bursaries Committee.

The new bursary will support two successful candidates to undertake two weeks of immersive work experience at Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire, a globally recognised centre of horticultural excellence with a proud history spanning more than 160 years. Hillier was recently named International Grower of the Year, cementing its worldwide reputation at the forefront of commercial plant production.

Production and Amenity Director at Hillier Nurseries, Adam Dunnett said: “This is a unique learning experience at a world-class nursery. The placement is designed for students, and those at the start of their horticultural careers, who are keen to deepen their practical knowledge of large-scale, professional plant production. This will involve a two week work experience opportunity in either container grown ornamental plants, or field grown tree production. The team here at Hillier are keen to tailor the work experience according to the candidate’s main areas of interest.”

Successful candidates will be awarded a bursary of up to £1,750, designed to cover travel, accommodation, and food costs for the duration of the placement, ensuring the opportunity is accessible to all talented individuals from across the UK. The work placement will take place over two weeks at a mutually agreed time between May to September 2026.

Don’t delay – it’s time to get your application in for this Colegrave Seabrook Foundation bursary. The simple online application process is open only until the 29th March 2026.

Colegrave Seabrook Foundation Chairman, Stuart Lowen added: “We are very grateful to the RHS Bursaries Committee for their financial support of this bursary. We all recognise we need commercially minded people with skills and experience in our industry, and what a brilliant way for people to grow their careers. This is a pilot year we are running with Hillier Nurseries with a view to rolling it out through a variety of nurseries in future years as a partial solution to the skills shortage in our industry.”

All the details of this amazing opportunity and how you can apply to the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, can be found on their websitealong with a short video outlining the bursary opportunity (click on the link below).

Production Horticulture Work Experience Bursary - Colegrave Seabrook Foundation  
...and remember to get your application in by the 29th March 2026.