Since its formation in 1989, the fund has actively sort support from government agencies, commercial companies, charitable organisations and private individuals. As a result, by mid 1998 some 64 young people had been sponsored in 29 countries, on projects of value to those countries. The committee has representatives from government, aid agencies, industry, universities and colleges. All applications for sponsorship are carefully reviewed by the committee. Consideration is given to the merits of the project, its relevance and likely benefit to the country concerned.
Much importance is given to the individual's commitment to work overseas in the long term.
The TAAF has charitable status. The TAAF does not identify work opportunities and as such applicants themselves should have made arrangements for their participation in some type of work experience. The Tim Jarman Fund Tim Jarman was tragically killed in June 1997. After Tim's death, his widow Sally and other members of the family set up a fund in his memory which will be administered by the TAA through the Tropical Agriculture Award Fund. A test of success of the Award Fund is clearly the extent to which awardees benefit from their experience and subsequently find suitable positions in tropical agriculture.