DCF invests in the future of plant health

Image from Fera-Science Limited

The David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) is proud to be a supporter of the Royal Society of Biology’s (RSB) Plant Health Undergraduate Summer Studentship Programme for 2019.

The scheme invites plant health researchers to submit proposals for one of nine available funded studentships for undergraduates to run over the summer of 2019.

A key aim of the studentship is to address skills and capacity challenges in plant health science by providing attractive opportunities for research experience to suitable undergraduates, offering them the opportunity to undertake supervised research with leading research groups and encourage research proposals in seven areas relevant to Defra’s plant health priorities.

The proposed research project must address at least one of the following themes related to plant health, pests and diseases:

• Detection or control
• Data & modelling
• Trade
• Host plants / Earth observations
• High-risk pests or pathogens
• Knowledge exchange
• Oak health

Every year DCF supports a number of students with scholarships that provide vital funding as well as work and travel experience. The Trustees of the charity recognise the Plant Health Undergraduate Summer Studentship Programme as a valuable opportunity to support even more students doing important work around horticulture.

Jeff Colegrave, DCF Chairman, says: “We are delighted to be able to support the RSB in the vital area of plant health research. This is a highly topical subject currently and we believe that supporting efforts to improve plant health will be hugely beneficial to the industry”.

Alongside the David Colegrave Foundation, funding for the scheme is provided by Defra, BSPP and N8 AgriFood.

More details and eligibility requirements are available here: https://www.rsb.org.uk/plant-studentships

Closing date for applications: 26th March 2019.

The David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) is a registered charity supporting the development of students studying horticulture in the UK. It champion careers in commercial, production or retail ornamental horticulture by offering scholarships to these future horticulturists. To date, over £100,000 has been awarded.

David Colegrave was one of Britain’s leading seedsmen, founding the UK’s largest ornamental seed company, Colegrave Seeds (now Ball Colegrave). During his career, Colegrave took a keen interest in supporting and promoting the development of young people, and it was with this in mind that the Foundation was launched shortly after his death.

The David Colegrave Foundation is administered by the Horticultural Trades Association.

Photo: Ellie, a past student of the programme