This is a short post to let you know that the 2026 Capital Grants offer is now open for applications.
Before starting an application, please read the applicant’s guide.
The applicant’s guide sets out:
- who can apply
- which items are available (see section 5.2)
- the evidence required
- how applications will be assessed
- how to submit an application
Submitting a complete application with all the required supporting information will help avoid delays and ensure your application can be assessed as quickly as possible.
You should also make sure that:
- your business details are up to date
- your land information and maps are accurate
- any necessary permissions or consents are in place
- you have gathered the supporting evidence required for the items you want to apply for. You have 10 days after submitting your application to send these to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA)
Watch webinar
To help you prepare, we hosted a webinar earlier today.
During the session, our team was joined by colleagues from the RPA and CSF.
We explained which grant items may require CSF advice before you apply, while RPA colleagues talked through the application and claims process.
The webinar concluded with a Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to put their questions directly to the team.
Catchment Sensitive Farming support
Some Capital Grant items require support from CSF before you can apply. (These items are listed in Table 1 of Annex 2) and need an advisory consultation to discuss the environmental priorities for your land.
CSF teams are currently unable to prioritise new requests for advisory visits, but they expect to offer more visits later this year.
You can use the CSF advice request form to register your interest, and a member of the team will contact you when they have capacity to help.
In the meantime, you can register for one of their free events. If you've received CSF support for the relevant items dated from 1 July 2024, you can use this when applying.
The RPA will remove any capital items from your application if they do not have CSF support.
Subscribe to the Farming Blog
The 2026 application window will close when all the available funding has been allocated. We will publish posts when 25%, 50% and 75% of the available funding has been allocated.
Subscribe to the Farming Blog to stay up to date with Capital Grants and other farming schemes.
You'll receive an email notification whenever a new post is published, including updates on policy developments, funding opportunities and ways to get involved.
8 comments
Comment by anon posted on
There is a question in the application process that askes
"If you are a tenant of a public body or have obligations...." etc.
It requires a YES or NO answer - This is very confusing to answer if not a tenant of a public body ?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hello,
Thanks for your feedback, we'll pass this onto the content team for their consideration.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by anon posted on
Is there a video we can watch to show exactly how to go through the application process ?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hello,
Section 5.1.3 of the guidance lists the steps to apply:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2026/applicants-guide-capital-grants-2026#how-to-apply
Pasting the relevant bit so it's handy:
To apply, sign into the Rural Payments service and select ‘View business’. From the ‘Business overview’ screen, select ‘Countryside Stewardship applications’.
Use the Countryside Stewardship application screens to apply online for Capital Grants.
The ‘Help’ link in the Rural Payments service tells you what to do on each screen.
If you cannot see the ‘Countryside Stewardship applications’ link, check that you have the correct permission level to create an application. If you still cannot see the link after your permission level updates in the Rural Payments service, ‘sign out’ then ‘sign in’ again to refresh your account.
You can create and submit only one Capital Grants application in a calendar year. If you want to make changes to an application you’ve already submitted, you must first delete or withdraw the previous application. If you don’t do this, RPA can only accept the first submitted application.
When adding land parcels to your application, if a land parcel is missing from the list, you may need to register land and update digital maps.
You must also create a map or maps to support your application. Read Annex 3 – Supporting maps.
If you are unable to apply online, call the RPA on 03000 200 301 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, except bank holidays).
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Liz Greene posted on
Where exactly do we apply? I can't see anything on Rural payments.
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Liz,
Section 5.1.3 of the guidance sets this out. Pasting here for ease:
To apply, sign into the Rural Payments service and select ‘View business’. From the ‘Business overview’ screen, select ‘Countryside Stewardship applications’.
Use the Countryside Stewardship application screens to apply online for Capital Grants.
The ‘Help’ link in the Rural Payments service tells you what to do on each screen.
If you cannot see the ‘Countryside Stewardship applications’ link, check that you have the correct permission level to create an application. If you still cannot see the link after your permission level updates in the Rural Payments service, ‘sign out’ then ‘sign in’ again to refresh your account.
You can create and submit only one Capital Grants application in a calendar year. If you want to make changes to an application you’ve already submitted, you must first delete or withdraw the previous application. If you don’t do this, RPA can only accept the first submitted application.
When adding land parcels to your application, if a land parcel is missing from the list, you may need to register land and update digital maps.
You must also create a map or maps to support your application. Read Annex 3 – Supporting maps.
If you are unable to apply online, call the RPA on 03000 200 301 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, except bank holidays).
Taken from:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2026/applicants-guide-capital-grants-2026#how-to-apply
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Stephen Ridsdale posted on
I've done the application.
How do we submit the supporting documents please?
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Stephen,
Supporting evidence can be submitted either by email or by post.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will only accept supporting documents, such as photographs or forms, if they are either:
1. Printed and sent by post, or
2. Scanned and attached to an email.
Please note that email attachments must not exceed 32 MB. For security reasons, the RPA cannot accept documents submitted on CDs, USB drives, or any other external storage devices.
If you choose to submit documents by post, we recommend obtaining proof of posting.
Email: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk
Please include "Capital Grants" and your SBI number in the subject line.
Post:
Rural Payments Agency
PO Box 324
Worksop
S95 1DF
All supporting evidence must be received by the RPA within 10 working days of submitting your application.
You can find further guidance on supporting evidence here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2026/applicants-guide-capital-grants-2026#evidence-and-supporting-documents
If you scroll to the bottom of the guidance page, you'll also find contact details for any other organisations you may need to contact.
Best wishes,
The Team