Farming Innovation Programme Overview

The funding is aimed at developing novel high-potential solutions that target real-world issues facing farmers, growers and agribusinesses.

The calls are often based on the recommendations of reports, for example the automation and robotics call was in response to the Automation in Horticulture independent report (27 July 2022)* with a foreword by Professor Simon Pearson.

Farming Innovation Programme themes:

Theme 1 – Climate smart funding – closed June 2022

Theme 2 – Sustainable farm-based protein – closed September 2022

Theme 3 – Automation and robotics – closed March 2023

Theme 4 – Environmental resilience – closed 19 July 2023

Strands create different entry levels

Funding is made available in competitive rounds with a call for applications. Calls may include strands to encourage entrants at different levels.

Research starter: to explore an idea and develop a team; only farmers can apply – £28 – £56K

Feasibility studies: to check with an idea works in practice; open to businesses, farmers and researchers – £200 -£500k

Small R&D partnerships: business-led industrial research – £1-3M

Large R&D partnerships: business-led industrial research – £3-5M

Farming Futures R&D: research organisations or business-led – £200k – £6M

Previous programmes

The Farming Innovation Programme builds on the success of the Transforming Food Production initiative.

* ^{https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defra-led-review-of-automation-in-horticulture/automation-in-horticulture-review}

Briefing last updated: 7 July 2023