DEFRA recently announced two new funding competitions under the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) opening this Autumn for farmers and growers. Firstly, there is Small R&D Partnerships (Round 4) – worth £7.8 million – and secondly is Feasibility Studies (Round 4) – worth £4.8 million.
Both grant opportunities are focused on innovative projects but at different stages of development. Feasibility Studies aims to prove that a theoretical project would work in practice whereas the R&D fund brings an established idea closer to commercial markets. There is no specific theme for the projects as DEFRA aim to be steered by the agricultural industry into funding high priority solutions.
The grant pots are small and therefore competitive. Small R&D Partnerships will fund projects from £1 million to £3 million lasting up to 30 months. Feasibility studies will fund projects from £200,000 to £500,000 lasting up to 24 months.
Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK as the latest part of the government’s commitment to the Industrial Strategy, Small R&D Partnerships opens on 15 September and closes 05 November whereas Feasibility Studies opens on 13 October and closes 03 December.
If there are opportunities that fall within this project scope, then please contact us to establish an introductory meeting where we can establish the eligibility and likelihood of advancing the project.
Credit: Lawrence Looi / NFU
Fund 1: Small R&D Partnerships
“Develop a new farming product or service” – supports collaborative development of new farming products or services that bring proven ideas closer to market.
Eligibility and Scope
- Lead by a UK-registered business, in collaboration with businesses, research organisations, and/or farmers, growers or foresters.
- Projects must deliver tangible benefits to farmers or growers in England—boosting productivity, sustainability, environmental performance, and resilience.
Funding and Duration
- £1 million–£3 million total project costs
- Project length: up to 30 months
- Funding rates:
- Industrial research:
- Small/micro: 70%, Medium: 60%, Large: 50%
- Experimental development:
- Small/micro: 45%, Medium: 35%, Large: 25%
- Industrial research:
Timeline
- Guidance available now
- Competition opens: 15 September 2025
- Consortia-building event: 18 September 2025
- Closes: 05 November 2025
Fund 2: Feasibility Studies
“Determine whether a research idea works in practice” – funds early-stage, practical testing of research ideas to determine if they are worth further development.
Eligibility & Scope
- Lead by a UK-registered business, collaborating with research organisations and/or farmers, growers, or foresters.
- Must benefit farmers, growers, or foresters in England, by solving real-world problems, enhancing productivity, reducing emissions, and improving resilience.
Funding & Duration
- £200,000–£500,000 total project costs
- Projects last up to 24 months
- Funding rates for businesses:
- Small/micro: up to 70%, Medium: 60%, Large: 50%
Timeline
- Guidance published: 29 September 2025
- Competition opens: 13 October 2025
- Consortia-building event: 14 October 2025
- Closes: 03 December 2025
Picture by Simon Hadley/ www.simonhadley.co.uk
Final Notes & Next Steps
- Both competitions emphasise collaboration, practical impact, environmental sustainability, and benefit to farmers in England.
- Due to the competitive nature of the funds, please contact NFU Energy or GrowSave to determine the eligibility of your projects before employing our support to give your project the best chance to obtain funding.
- If you are want to explore previously funded projects to provide insight into possible projects, click FIP Case Studies to read highlighted projects in England.
Contact NFU Energy at info@nfuenergy.co.uk or 024 7669 6512 or GrowSave at growsave@nfuenergy.co.uk to discuss your project now.
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