Round 5 of the Small Research and Development Partnerships competition is now open. UK businesses can apply to develop new farming products or services to bring them closer to commercial use. In this post, we share a summary and case studies from previous rounds of the competition.
Eligible applicants can now apply for funding through the latest rounds of the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund.
Innovators in farming can now apply for a share of up to £20 million through Round 2 of the Farming Futures Automation and Robotics competition, part of the Farming Innovation Programme.
Round 5 of the Feasibility Studies competition is now open. The competition offers grant funding for feasibility studies investigating new solutions that will address major on-farm or immediate post farmgate challenges or opportunities.
Listen to the latest Defra Farming Podcast to hear how innovation funding is helping farmers turn new ideas into practical solutions. Two guests share how research, collaboration and on-farm trials are helping them improve productivity, reduce costs and build more resilient businesses.
The Farming Innovation Programme (FIP),will receive an additional £53 million investment this year. This means that those trialling new technologies and innovative approaches to cut costs, improve productivity and strengthen business resilience on farms will be able to benefit from a total investment of £123 million across the 2026/27 financial year.
Farmers, growers and foresters across England can now apply for new rounds of funding through the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund. These grants help farmers run trials and demonstrations to test new approaches in real farming conditions and share what they learn.
There is still time to apply for funding through the Farming Innovation Investor Partnerships competition. If you are developing a near-market innovation that could benefit farmers or the wider agricultural sector, the application window remains open until 17 June.
A new Farming Innovation Investor Partnerships competition is now open for applications. £5 million in government grant funding is available to attract private investment and support businesses developing near-commercial, on-farm innovations.
Through the Farming Innovation Investor Partnerships competition, 12 projects are expected to secure more than £40 million in private investment to help bring agri-tech innovations to market. A further competition will open next month.
Each month, we bring together the latest policy updates, funding opportunities, consultations, research and statistics, helping you stay informed about the issues that matter to you.
Meet the team in September
5 September Moreton in the Marsh Show at Batsford Road, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.
5–6 September Wolsingham Show at Wolsingham Showground, Wolsingham, County Durham.
9–10 September Westmorland Show at Lane Farm, Crooklands, near Kendal, Cumbria.
12 September Romsey Show at Broadlands Estate, Romsey, Hampshire.
16 September UK Dairy Day at Telford International Centre, Telford, Shropshire.
19 September Isle of Wight Ploughing Match at Isle of Wight, Hampshire.
26 September Southwell Ploughing Match and Show at Southwell, Nottinghamshire.
The Farming Advice Service (FAS) provides free, confidential advice to farmers and advisers.
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) helps farmers in England protect water, air and soil. CSF advisers can provide advice on best practices and specific actions that will benefit your farm business and the environment.
We’ve compiled a list of organisations offering wellbeing support to those in the farming community.
Read the new guidance to understand what the changes could mean for your business and how to prepare.
From 6 April 2026, qualifying agricultural and business assets will continue to receive full inheritance tax relief up to a combined value of £2.5 million. Lower relief rates will apply to assets above this amount. Learn more
Innovate UK Business Connect invites you to join its new directory and connect with public sector buyers.
