Garden Centre Association members are invited to put team members forward for the GCA Trust Dick Allen Scholarship Award Scheme with the chance of three people benefiting this year.
The scheme is open to GCA garden centre staff and recipients of the award will be invited to the International GCA (IGCA) Congress in Munich and Bavarian region of Germany in August.
Will Armitage, GCA Trust Chairman, says: “At the recent GCA Conference, the GCA Trust was delighted to announce that after several years of sending two delegates to the annual IGCA Congress, this year up to three applicants could be chosen. Applications are now open with a closing date of February 21, so we’re urging people to apply soon to avoid disappointment.”
The Dick Allen Scholarship Fund will cover the registration costs of each delegate, apart from travel, which the employer is encouraged to fund.
Will continues: “This is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring members of garden centre teams to see how our industry operates in Germany, while furthering their personal development with the chance to network with other garden centre operators from all over the world in a more informal environment.”
Will adds: “Within the congress itinerary, The Next Generation Study Tour focuses on inspiring the next generation within our industry, encouraging new networks, global connections and, as previous attendees will attest, so much more in gaining friendships, experience and confidence. Active participation is essential! Full details of how many innovative and modern retailers are on the list of visits can be found on the IGCA Congress website: www.IGCA2026.com.
“We’re sure the delegates will come back bursting with new ideas and enthusiasm for this exciting industry, as all the garden centres who have been enlightened enough to encourage their staff to go for it in the past will readily verify. The delegates are also asked to give short feed-back of their experiences and the benefits to both them and their centres at the GCA conference in 2027.”
Applications must be made online here www.gca.org.uk/bursaries-and-grants/ and must be endorsed and supported by the applicant’s employer. The closing date for applications is February 21,2026 and the winners will be informed on March 21, 2026.
The GCA Trust will cover the full Congress registration fee including accommodation, but travel expenses will need to be met by the employer. Other than personal expenses and travel insurance, there are no further costs involved.
The object of the GCA Trust is to advance among the general public and, in particular among horticultural students, education in horticulture, and particularly garden centres, by the provision and administration of scholarships and bursaries, including prizes to foster such education.
The Trust also aims to assist horticultural students to study, research into and gain experience of horticulture.
