Unlocking Innovation and Sustainability: How to Secure Innovation Grants for Your Farming Projects

Defra have announced the upcoming rounds of the Small R&D Partnership Projects and Feasibility Studies competitions, which will provide over £14 million in funding to encourage collaboration between farmers, growers, foresters, agri-businesses, and researchers. These innovation grants aim to boost productivity, sustainability, and support the journey towards achieving net zero goals. In this guide, we'll provide an overview of the competitions, along with important dates and resources to help you secure the grants.

Small R&D Partnerships Projects

Open from 14 August - 25 October

The Small R&D Partnership Projects competition offers a share of £9.8 million in funding. This competition is tailored to support projects that are further along in their research and development journey compared to Feasibility Studies. The grants provided through this competition are intended to help businesses develop new farming products or services and bring them closer to commercialization.

To be eligible, your project must have a total cost ranging from £1 million to £3 million and should last up to 36 months.

You can read the Small R&D Partnerships Projects competition guidance here.

14 August: Webinar - Q&A and consortium building event

Feasibility Studies

Open from 18 September - 15 November

The Feasibility Studies competition offers a share of £4.5 million in funding. If your project is still in the early stages of research and development, this competition is perfect for you. The grant supports projects through the testing phase to determine the feasibility of your research idea and whether it's worth further investment.

For this competition, your project must have a total cost ranging from £200,000 to £500,000 and should last up to 24 months.

You can read the Feasibility Studies competition guidance here.

20 September: Webinar - Q&A and consortium building event

How to Apply

Read the Competition Guidance
Before applying, carefully read the guidance for the Small R&D Partnership Projects and Feasibility Studies competitions to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements.

Join the Webinars
Participate in the webinars highlighted above to gain valuable insights and tips on how to strengthen your proposal and find potential collaborators.

Prepare Your Proposal
Craft a compelling proposal that clearly outlines your project's objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Demonstrate the potential impact of your innovation on productivity, sustainability, and the journey towards net zero.

Submit Your Application
Submit your application through the designated channels within the specified time frames.

Securing an innovation grant can be a game-changer for your farming project, bringing your innovative ideas to life while contributing to a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector. Take advantage of the upcoming Defra competitions, collaborate with experts, and turn your visionary concepts into reality.