Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has opened its travel scholarship, worth £4,000, for applications.
Applications are open to anyone above the age of 18 working in the red meat sector in Wales. The scholarship will provide the winner with the opportunity to study an aspect of red meat production or processing anywhere in the world.
Those interested in applying can obtain the application form via the HCC website and are encouraged to fill it out and submit it before the closing date of Friday, April 28.
HCC’s industry development executive, James Ruggeri, said the scholarship has been running for over twenty years and provides an “unrivalled opportunity” for anyone involved in the red meat industry in Wales.
“France, New Zealand, the USA and Chile are just a handful of destinations where HCC scholars have travelled to in recent years,” he said.
“Unlike other scholarships, there is no upper age limit on the HCC scholarship. We are looking for ambitious individuals who are committed to improving their own understanding whilst also playing a part in developing the industry as a whole.”
An ‘amazing opportunity’
Scholars can choose to study any topic within the red meat supply chain. Study trips can last up to six weeks and scholars are expected to write a scholarship report and share their findings with the wider industry upon their return.
The 2022 scholarship winner, Charlie Cooper-Harding, used his trip to travel to Chile and South America where he studied beef industry productivity and perceptions.
“I would like to encourage anyone thinking of applying for this scholarship to do so,” he said.
“This is an amazing opportunity to travel anywhere in the world to study a topic of your interest.
“I have personally got so much out of the experience and have made contacts for life.”
Ruggeri said the scholarship not only provides the “unique opportunity” to study and travel internationally, but it also offers membership of the HCC Scholarship Association – a network of past HCC scholars who meet throughout the year to share advice.
