Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
What it funds
DescriptionText update 21 May 2026: we have updated the links for the investor pool in this section.Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, will work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to invest up to £5 million in innovation projects.This funding is linked to Defra's Farming Innovation Programme delivered by Innovate UK.The aim of this competition is to:develop ambitious late stage innovative solutions, technologies, systems or approaches that will make
Who can apply
Who can applyYour projectIf you are successful, any awards given to primary agricultural producers are subject to the green box exemption under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.See further guidance on green box subsidies here WTO guidance for support in agriculture. Applicants receiving this type of support must ensure that there is minimal to no distortion of trade and comply with the requirements of Annex 2 of the Agriculture Agreement.Your project must:have total costs of between £750,000 and £3 millionlast 18 monthscarry out all of its project work in the UKintend to exploit the results from or in the UKnot start before 1 April 2027be able to demonstrate how it will benefit farmers, growers or foresters in EnglandAny organisation receiving funding must carry out its project work in the UK, intend to exploit the results in the UK, and spend most of the funding within the UK.Projects must always start on the first of the month, even if this is a non-working day. You must not start your project until your Grant Offer Letter has been approved by Innovate UK. Any delays within Project Setup may mean we need to delay your project start date.You must only include eligible project cost
How to apply
Before you startYou must read the guidance on applying for a competition on the Innovation Funding Service before you start.Before submitting, it is the lead applicant’s responsibility to make sure:that all the information provided in the application is correctyour proposal meets the eligibility and scope criteriaall sections of the application are marked as completeYou can reopen your application once submitted, up until the competition deadline. You must resubmit the application before the competition deadline.Projects will be notified of their eligibility following the Innovate UK assessment and their potential opportunity to receive grant funding. This will be conditional on reaching heads of terms with an eligible investor partner and the availability of Innovate UK funding.What we ask youThe application is split into three sections:Project details.Application questions.Finances.Acc
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