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Next round of Large R&D Partnerships competition on the way

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A hand holding a rapeseed pod

On 15 January, we’ll open another round of the Large R&D Partnerships competition. Part of the Farming Innovation Programme, this competition offers a share of £7.8 million to farmers, growers and foresters in England to take forward ideas that improve productivity, sustainability, resilience and move the sector towards net zero. Together with our delivery partners Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we published the competition guidance today. 

Apply now for grant to support private investment in nature

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to support private investment
Image of a farm building and sheep on a gradient

At the end of November, we shared details of a grant designed to help farmers attract private investment into nature. We said we’d blog again when it was time to apply and we’re pleased to say that from today, you can.  This post includes a link for you to watch a recording of our webinar on the grant.

Coming soon: grants to attract private investment in nature

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Patchwork of fields in the south-west of England

The Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF) will soon offer grants designed to help farmers attract private investment in nature. You’ll be able to apply for a grant on 11 December 2023. We've published guidance for the grant on GOV.UK to help you prepare.

Funding applications now open for high-growth agri-tech businesses

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments for research and innovation
Woman with laptop and tractor in farm field

We are pleased to say that applications are now open for the £5 million Farming Innovation Investor Partnership competition with Innovate UK. The application window will remain open for 6 weeks until 30 August and there is a briefing session for potential applicants on 25 July. In this post we will give you a recap on the competition and how to apply for funding.

Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology grants: help shape the next round

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to support animal health and welfare
A view of the English countryside with sheep in the foreground

In March, we took another step forward on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway by launching the first round of the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology Grant. In this post, we'd like to invite you to help us shape the next round.

Water Management grant: there's still time to apply

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure
Rain droplet on crop

There’s still time for you to apply for a Water Management grant before the window closes on 12 July. The grant is available to horticultural and arable businesses growing, or intending to grow, irrigated food crops, ornamentals, or forestry nurseries. The maximum grant available is £500,000 per applicant per funding round. The minimum grant you can apply for is £35,000. 

Improving and extending our offer for upland farmers

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Future Farming and Countryside Programme

It is our mission to create an offer that is workable for every farmer and farm type in England. Upland farmers are a crucial part of our rural communities, economies and landscapes – they are central to the production of high-quality food and other goods. In this post, we set out the offer for upland farmers and share the work we are doing to make sure that it is accessible, broad and rewarding, and that it helps us to achieve our ambitions for food production, productivity and the environment.

Help us to review productivity and slurry grant items 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure
Flock of birds over Hele Payne Farm. Showing Raddon Hill in the background.

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund supports the purchase of equipment, technology, and infrastructure designed to improve agricultural, horticultural and forestry productivity in a sustainable way.  Grants are offered towards the cost of specific items of equipment on a list.  We promised to review the list of productivity and slurry items and we'd like your help.

Tree Health Pilot: improvements and progress on the ash dieback offer

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to improve tree health
Photograph by Louise Hill. An ash tree that is severely affected by ash dieback disease. It's in a hedgerow next to a footpath in Hampshire.

The Tree Health Pilot tests different ways of slowing the spread of tree pests and diseases as well as building the resilience of trees across England. In this post, I’ll update you on the work to improve the Pilot’s ash dieback grant offer. Changes have been made to eligibility, guidance and the application process.