What is the Scholarship?

The future of British farming is happening right now in our fields, and spray drones are leading the charge. But getting fully trained, certified, and cleared to fly commercially can take a lot of time and money.

We want to change that.

Backed by Defra grant funding, AutoSpray Systems and the YFC are offering five ambitious Young Farmers a complete, fast-tracked launchpad into the agri-drone sector.

If you win one of the five places, you will join us for an exclusive 5-day bootcamp in March 2027. You’ll get CAA-approved flight training, professional Lantra accreditation, career-launch support from industry experts, and the operational backing you need to start flying commercially straight away.

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How to apply

Applying is straightforward, and you can submit your application in whichever format suits you best—a written pitch, a slide deck, or a short video recorded on your phone.

We want to understand your vision for the future of British agriculture, how you intend to put this technology to work, and the impact this training will have on your career.

Complete your application form here.

  • What Will You Build?

    Tell us how you plan to put your Drone Spraying and Spreading qualification to work—whether through starting a contracting business, diversifying your family farm, or pioneering precision agronomy.

  • What Will You Change?

    Tell us how drone application will benefit your farm, your customers, your local farming community, or the environment.

  • Where Will It Take You?

    Tell us why this scholarship is the right step for you now, and what impact will it have on your career in British agriculture.

Launch Your Career into High-Tech British Agriculture

Ready to take your agricultural career to new heights?

Watch our launch video to hear directly from AutoSpray CEO Rob Pearson on why we’re bringing this scholarship to life.

You’ll also hear from an established pilot and a trainee as they share their real-world experiences of training, qualifying, and building a thriving career in agri-drones.

Key details and questions

  • 6th October 2026: Applications Open.
  • 30th November 2026: Applications Close.
  • December 2027: Application Judging and Scholarship Winners Announced.
  • March 2027: 5-Day Scholarship Bootcamp Delivered by AutoSpray Systems.

The scholarship is open to members of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) across the UK who want to build a career in agriculture, contracting, or agronomy.

No prior qualifications or drone experience are required. We teach you everything you need to know, from basic controls to advanced autonomous flight.

Yes. Once you have successfully completed the required theory exam and practical flight assessment, you can begin operating commercially through the AutoSpray Pilot Network (ASPN). Successful graduates will have the opportunity to join the ASPN and operate under AutoSpray’s established Operational Authorisation.

This is a much faster route into commercial work than applying for your own independent CAA authorisation, which can otherwise take 12–18 months.

What you could win

Each of the five selected Young Farmers receives a fully funded place on a 5-day training course delivered by AutoSpray Systems exclusively for the NFYFC. You’ll complete our industry-leading Drone Spraying and Spreading Course—training hands-on with the flagship XAG P100 Pro alongside the expert team who helped set the UK’s regulatory standards for agricultural drones. On top of our core 4-day syllabus, you’ll get an exclusive 5th day dedicated to your career kickstart, with expert input on agronomy, business setup and getting your first commercial work.

Classroom Learning

  • Introduction to drone legislation and airspace regulations
  • Flight planning and risk assessment
  • Operational Safety Case and commercial use overview
  • GVC theory exam (CAA requirement for RPC certification)

Practical Flying

  • Manual and autonomous flight training using the XAG P100 Pro
  • Emergency procedure drills and critical fault handling
  • Maintenance, servicing and safety checks
  • Tips and advice on power management & operational logistics
  • Efficiency workshops including refill and battery change challenges
  • Live flight logging and operational compliance

Assessment and Submission

  • Practical flight exam
  • Final log review and documentation submission
  • Certification sign-off

Career Kickstarter (Day 5)

  • Ask-an-expert session with agronomy and industry input
  • Turning your qualification into work: contracting, farm diversification or precision agronomy
  • Business setup basics and finding your first commercial work
  • Joining the AutoSpray Pilot Network and what to expect next

Leading the Industry

  • Lantra Professional Accreditation: The recognised industry qualification for professional agricultural drone work.
  • Immediate Commercial Flying: Skip the 12–18 month regulatory delay by operating straight away under AutoSpray’s established Operational Authorisation permissions.
  • ASPN Pathway: The opportunity to join the AutoSpray Pilot Network (ASPN), providing access to indefinite operational backup, regulatory updates, technical support and mentorship.