Emma Molesworth Trust and Rutland County Council open grant applications to agricultural students

A trust which helps students pay for college and university courses has announced that grant applications have opened.

The Emma Molesworth Trust was established in 1966 to provide financial assistance to Rutland residents wishing to take a course in agriculture.

The grants, run in conjunction with Rutland County Council, may be awarded for course materials and equipment, travel to college or university, accommodation, course fees and special course-related projects, like field trips and work placements.

Applications for 2025/26 grants are open in two streams.

Those received by August 31 will be awarded between September and October 2025, while applications received up until the end of next February will then be awarded between March and April 2026.

Rutland County Councillor Andrew Brown, chairman of the Emma Molesworth Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Rutland residents studying for a career in farming.

“Each grant is awarded on merit and is a reflection of the tremendous contribution farmers make to the county of Rutland.

“We are gratified by the number of high-calibre students applying for funding and wish them every success with their studies and future careers”.

The Emma Molesworth Trust awards an annual grant of up to £1,500 for long courses of a year or longer, and up to £250 for short courses of less than a year.

All courses will be assessed by the appointed trustees as to whether the establishment and course meets the trust’s objectives.

Additionally, other farm training or short courses will be considered on their own merit.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Rutland County Council website at www.rutland.gov.uk/emmamolesworthtrust