Grant Funding

Here are some links to some funding options currently available for rural businesses. For free support with accessing any of the grant schemes listed below please get in touch.

The Farming Innovation Fund

The Industry-led Research and Development Partnerships Fund is the first of 3 funds to launch in the new Farming Innovation Programme. 

Applications for a share of £17.5 million funding opened Wednesday 20 October 2021. 

Project opportunities and dates 

The Industry-led Research and Development Partnerships Fund is made up of 4 different projects: 

  • Research Starter Projects

These are designed to help farmers, growers, and foresters based in England develop bold, ambitious, early-stage ideas and build a collaborative team. 

Applications for Research Starter Projects will open 20 October and close 24 November 2021. 

  • Feasibility Projects

These are designed to test the feasibility of early-stage solutions and to inform decisions on subsequent, larger scale research and development projects.

Applications for Feasibility Projects will open 20 October and close 1 December 2021. 

  • Small Research and Development Partnership Projects

These are designed to carry out research for innovative solutions that have the potential to substantially improve the overall productivity, sustainability, and resilience of the sectors. 

Applications for Small Research and Development Partnership Projects will open 20 October and close 1 December 2021. 

  • Large Research and Development Partnership Projects

 These are solutions that have the potential to substantially improve overall productivity, sustainability, and resilience of the sector. 

Applications for Large Research and Development Partnership Projects will launch in 2022.   

The Industry-led Research and Development Partnerships Fund will be delivered in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Visit then new Farming Innovation site for more information and to apply.