In the last 10 years, the David Colegrave Foundation has awarded almost £100,000 through scholarships, trip bursaries and other educational initiatives.

Applications for further funding are already coming in for the current scholarship season from the likes of The University of the Highlands and Islands - Argyll College UHI, The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise - Greenmount campus, Harper Adams University, Walworth School of Horticulture, Eden Project Learning, Myerscough College and Pershore college.

More colleges are encouraged to get on board and get their horticulture students applying.

Colleges can also apply directly for group trip bursaries. Most recently with funding from DCF, Askham Bryan College students visited the Four Oaks Trade Show.

Marina Martignoni, lecturer in horticulture and arboriculture at Askham Bryan College said: “It has been an amazing opportunity to introduce our young horticulturists to some of the most vibrant sectors in the industry. The students had the chance to interact with business owners, entrepreneurs and horticulturists from all over the UK and Europe, appreciating the variety of job opportunities and career pathways of the future. In particular, for these students who had literally just joined the course on the previous day, it was a chance to encounter ‘hot’ topics such as the use of peat and plastic in the industry, as well as IPM and biosecurity. It hasn’t been just a good bonding opportunity for the group, but also a moment of personal reflection prompted by the DCF reports task they had to complete.”

This year there are seven scholarships to apply for:

Ball Colegrave Sponsored Travel Scholarship

Up to £1,500 to fund travel to Europe in order to develop knowledge and experience in bedding plant production and marketing. An employee in the early stages of their career at a commercial bedding plant nursery, or a student studying horticulture with an interest in commercial bedding plants should apply.

British Protected Ornamentals Association - Peter Seabrook Bursary

£1,000 to support one or more students studying commercial horticulture. The scholarship is also available to schools and horticultural colleges to finance trips for students over 16 years of age to leading commercial horticultural establishments.

Horticultural Research Scholarship

£2,500 to support applied research within the horticulture industry. Students who are keen to pursue a research career in the horticultural industry should apply. This includes undergraduates, postgraduates and those studying for doctoral degrees.

John Gibson Environmental Scholarshi

£1,500 to support a student with a keen interest in environmental solutions and sustainable applications as applied to commercial horticulture.

Majestic Trees Sponsored Travel Scholarship

Up to £3,000 to fund a placement abroad at a tree nursery for a student who is passionate about tree production. This also includes the opportunity for a work placement at Majestic Trees, which could become a permanent position.

Markham – Colegrave International Scholarship

$4,500 USD for the opportunity to organise a work placement in a horticultural business in the US/Canada. The Scholarship is presented as a joint award from DCF and the American Floral Endowment (AFE), US.

Student Scholarship

£1,000 to each of up to 5 students to support their studies in horticulture. Preference is given to candidates who have an interest in ornamental commercial horticulture, especially with an emphasis on the bedding, container, pot plant and cut flower sectors.

Scholarship Season is open until 31 January 2020.