I’m pleased to share that guidance is now available for 2 upcoming funding competitions under the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP): Precision Breeding and Low Emissions Farming.
Both competitions open on 5 May. We’ve published the guidance now, so farmers, growers and foresters have time to prepare.
A total of £25 million is available through these competitions.
These areas have been identified as priorities for support because of their potential to improve productivity and sustainability.
Precision breeding can support farmers to be more productive, resilient and resource efficient. Investing in low emissions farming supports the sector’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining profitability.
Whether you're focused on advancing precision breeding or reducing emissions, these competitions are here to help bring your ideas to life.
In this post, I’ll share links and provide an overview of both competitions.
Precision Breeding Competition
Aim of funding: This competition will fund research in precision breeding, a technology that has the potential to transform the plant breeding sector in England. Precision breeding enables the commercialisation of new crops in years, rather than decades. These crops can be:
- more nutritious
- resistant to pests and diseases
- resilient to climate change
- more beneficial to the environment
Ultimately, research from these projects could reduce the need for pesticides, increase food production and lower costs for farmers.
Funding available: A share of £12.5 million.
Open to: Collaborative projects, led by farm businesses or agricultural supply chain businesses.
Project cost: £1 million to £2.5 million.
Low Emissions Farming Competition
Aim of funding: This competition will support research into innovative ways to reduce emissions on farms. Projects could focus on areas such as:
- regenerative farming practices, including improving soil health
- energy efficiency
- using organic waste to create biogas that can be used for heat or electricity generation
- reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) from livestock production
- innovations to support land management – including productive paludicultural (wetlands) and agroforestry systems
Funding available: A share of £12.5 million.
Open to: Collaborative projects led by farm businesses, agricultural supply chain businesses, or research organisations.
Project cost: £1 million to £2.5 million.
Networking and briefing events
Applications for both competitions are open to consortia, which are collaborative teams made up of businesses and research organisations.
The funding supports projects at all stages of the R&D lifecycle, from early ideas through to commercialisation, helping the most promising solutions to move forward.
To help you connect with potential partners and gain a clearer understanding of the application process, we’re hosting networking and briefing events:
- 1 May: Precision Breeding Competition networking event (in person, Peterborough)
- 8 May: Low Emissions Farming Competition networking and Q&A event (online)
Farmers, industry leaders and researchers will come together at these events to share ideas, explore opportunities and form new partnerships.
Support for innovation
Since 2021, the Farming Innovation Programme, in partnership with Innovate UK, has backed over 290 projects across more than 600 organisations, supporting the creation and adoption of innovative technology.
With over £150 million committed by government and a further £54 million in private investment secured, an interim evaluation indicates that the programme aligns well with industry priorities, notably, increasing productivity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
These competitions offer a chance to help build a farming sector that is more resilient, sustainable and profitable.
Your involvement could make a meaningful difference to the future of farming in England. We’ll share updates along the way, so do subscribe to the Farming blog.
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