Early-Career Innovators’ Forum (ECIF)

The Early-Career Innovators’ Forum (ECIF) is a platform that unites early career individuals interested in agricultural innovation through a diverse programme of networking and knowledge-sharing activities that are free to attend.

Being part of the ECIF Programme will allow you to:

• Explore innovation across various areas of agriculture
• Develop your professional network by connecting with other early career individuals
• Acquire valuable tools and resources to help you thrive professionally in the agricultural industry

Whether you’ve recently graduated or are at the beginning of your professional career, we recognise that this is a crucial time to step out of your comfort zone and broaden your horizon. However, taking those first steps can seem daunting and knowing where to start can be a challenge.

ECIF provides a welcoming, friendly and informal environment where you will meet other graduates and professionals from a variety of backgrounds including research, agronomy, engineering, consultancy, farming and tech development.

Join the ECIF Programme to build your professional network and be part of a dynamic community of early career individuals united by their passion for agriculture and agri-tech!

Join us for our next visit as we head over to the John Innes Centre, a world-famous research centre in plant genetics, where researchers will give us a tour of the glasshouses and the Insectary. Find out more and book online for free.

ECIF Programme

The ECIF Programme delivers a diverse range of free activities to enhance your knowledge, facilitate information-sharing, and expand your professional network in agriculture.

Early-career individuals can participate in the ECIF Programme at one of three progressive levels to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate, over a period of up to four years.

Your award will serve as a valuable testament to the skills, knowledge, and industry insights you’ve gained through these experiences. Showcase it in future job applications or on your LinkedIn profile to stand out!

Activities

Activities include:

• Research, farm and industry visits to enhance your knowledge of the industry from lab to field.
• An annual ECIF conference to explore and discuss topical themes to help you navigate the agricultural sector.
• Professional skills webinars to help with your career development.
• Content creation such as blog-writing or filming short videos to improve communication and information-sharing skills.
• Make friends and forge professional connections in and beyond your community.

Take a look at some of the activities our ECIF participants have done in the past:

For further details on activities, how you can accrue your points, and how to sign up, download the ECIF Programme Guide.

Accreditation

The ECIF Programme is non-accredited, offering a distinctive and flexible learning experience. Our solid reputation within the agri-tech ecosystem is built on a foundation of excellence. Past participants have excelled in the ECIF environment, appreciating the freedom to explore their passions and pathways while cultivating a valuable network.

We provide high-quality educational events and mentorship, connecting participants with practitioners, projects, and organisations. Our track record of success, including employment opportunities, further education, and entrepreneurial ventures, underscores the value of ECIF for those pursuing careers in the agriculture and agri-tech industries.