funding

Funding available for research and knowledge exchange in the UK comes from a mix of public, industry and charitable sources

The largest source of research funding to agriculture, plant, animal & natural sciences in the UK is UKRI, encompassing BBSRC, NERC & Innovate UK. 

You can track relevant funding opportunities at KTN's Agrifood webpage - ktn-uk.org/agrifood/

Defra is supporting an exciting new programme of funding with its Farming Innovation Programme aiming to bridge between farm, applied and fundamental research.  Support for agricultural research and development is devolved, with specific funding routes available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Levy Bodies support lots of applied research for the benefit of the industry - AHDB, PGRO, BBRO.

Commercial companies in the ag industry support substantial amounts of private research, conducted internally and externally. Many such companies are represented by AIC - the Agricultural Industries Confederation. Companies with substantial research budgets for agricultural R&D include BASF, Syngenta, Bayer, Corteva, Yara, CF, John Deere, Agrii, Frontier, Hutchinsons, Agrovista. In addition, companies at the other enf of the supply chain often support research and KE programmes, studies and reports, including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, ASDA, M&S, Morrisons, Pepsico, Nestle ...  

Support is also available from organisations with interests over the landscape, such as water companies with Catchment Sensitive Farming. Natural England and ELMS Test & Trials.

UK Researchers and organisations are still elligible to be part of collaborative EU projects under various schemes including Horizon Europe, EIP-Agri, Thematic Networks, Intereg and Eureka.

The Charity sector also plays an important role in supporting the knowledge landscape in UK agrifood, both from large charities like WWF, Soil Association, Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund and smaller agricultural charities often addressing local KE needs, represented by the Agri-Food Charities Partnership.  The Morley Agricultural Foundation is one of the larger ag charities.

 

For Agri-tech, there are an increasing number of companies and funds looking to invest in agricultural innovations - eg AgFunder   Grosvenor Food & AgTech (was Wheatsheaf).

 

Government Grants for Farming

In 2023, more than £168m of funding will be available through a variety of grants. 

Visit the gov.uk web page for more information.

 

Let the community know about other funding sources or useful links and resources in the comments box below.

 

Related Organisations

Content below is from across the PEP community and is not necessarily endorsed by Stewards or by PEP

Connected Content

Knowledge

Farm-PEP aims to bring together all the sources of useful knowledge for Agriculture, whether from academic science, applied research projects, industry trials, farmers own trials or simple on-farm experience. Listed below are useful websites, organisations and websites that we know of.  Add any we've missed in the comments box or by adding as new content, or better still, as a new Group.  

DEFRA

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs.

Natural England

The government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. We help to protect and restore our natural world.  

Anglian Water

Anglian Water is the largest water and water recycling company in England and Wales by geographic area. We supply water and water recycling services to almost seven million people in the East of England and Hartlepool.     

Farming Innovation Programme (FIP)

The Farming Innovation Programme is part of Defra’s investment in innovation, research and development. Defra is partnering with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on the programme. 

Farming Connect

Knowledge and business support for farmers in Wales

Research Starter Projects

DEFRA funding in partnership with Innovate UK, which is looking to support farmers, growers, and foresters who have a bold, ambitious idea. 

South East Water

We supply top quality drinking water to 2.2 million customers in the south east of England and work with farmers and landowners to protect and enhance river and groundwater quality.

British Society of Soil Science (BSSS)

The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) is an established international membership organisation committed to the study of soil in its widest aspects. The society brings together those working within academia, practitioners implementing soil science in industry and all those working with, or with an interest in soils.

Innovate UK KTN

We create diverse connections to drive positive change.

National Food Strategy

Henry Dimbleby's National Food Strategy, reported in July 2021

CSF Introductory Leaflet - Is your farm fit for the future?

Guide explaining what Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) can do for your business. Catchment Sensitive Farming Advisers work with farmers to produce food in a way that protects water, air and soil; minimising losses and maximising efficiencies. Your CSF Adviser is locally based with an understanding of the challenges farmers face. They will work alongside you to take the latest advice and tailor it to best benefit your business.

Farming Innovation Programme winners announced - Aug 2022

Projects funded in the first rounds of the Defra Farming Innovation Pathway have been announced b

Tesco-WWF innovation fund

Tesco and WWF are working together to halve the environmental impact of the average UK shopping

Research

Agricultural research is conducted by a range of organisations, from individual farmers, through advisors, distributors, manufacturers, charities, societies, supply chain companies, levy bodies, universities and research institutes.  This page aims to connect across these often disparate sources.

Farmer led innovation

Many of the most telling innovations that make a difference on-farm come from farmers themselves, or from close collaboration between farmers, advisors, industry and researchers

CEIA - Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture

Aiming to strengthen the impact and benefit of agricultural research at scale. Supported by the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust.

IPM Works

An EU-Wide Farm Network Demonstrating and promoting cost-effective IPM Strategies.

Policy

Policy plays a critical role in shaping the agriculture industry in the UK and Europe. Government policies can have a major impact on the way that farmers operate, the crops they grow, and the prices they receive for their products. Policy has a major effect on how land is managed and environmental outcomes.

Future Farming Resilience Fund

Third round of Defra support for Free Business Support to support farmers through the transition period is now available to farmers in England.     

Rank Prize Funds

We bring together bright young researchers and the most eminent in their fields. We stimulate and support their work. Then we celebrate the breakthrough ideas that emerge, and the difference they make to the world.

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)

SFI offers payments to farmers to carry out farming activities in a more environmentally sustainable way so that they can produce environmental goods and services alongside food.

EU Fairshare - Digital Tools for farm advisors

The overarching aim of FAIRshare is to ensure that farm advisors and their organisations effectively use digital tools and services for supporting a more productive and sustainable agriculture.

RSK Wilding

If you are a farmer seeking extra revenue for good environmental work on your land, we could help you to access funds.

£16M Competition funding for novel low-emission food production systems from Innovate UK & BBSRC

Innovate UK and BBSRC announce new £16 million competition to drive forward novel, resource efficient, low-emission food production systems.

WWF

WWF supports lots of work on sustainable agriculture in a partnership with Tesco.

The Farmers Club Charitable Trust

Established in 1981 "to advance education and leadership in all aspects of the science and technology of agriculture"

Journey to Net Zero Competition

The School of Sustainable Food and Farming Journey to Net Zero Competition is looking to support the development or implementation of a system, process or processes which will have a positive, measurable impact on how winners can farm in a sustainable way. There is a total of £50k available which will be awarded in grants of between £5k-20k.

Farming Futures: Automation and Robotics competition

Agri-tech businesses, farmers, growers and researchers can now apply for a share of £12.5m for developing cutting-edge innovation in automation and robotics.

Breaking Down the Barriers to Agri-tech - Event

Farmers, growers, innovators and stakeholders coming together to maximise the potential of Agri-tech.  In person event at NIAB, Histon, Cambridge on 1 December

Webinar - Scaling up Innovation: From idea to market

Join partners Crop Health and Protection (CHAP) and Cranfield University as they celebrate Agri-TechE’s Agri-Tech Week and discuss what it takes to scale up agricultural innovation.

Farming grants, what are they? 

Investing in your farm can require large upfront costs, and this can be a deterrent for many farm

Innovate UK

NCSPulse PEP
TMAF The Morley Agricultural Foundation

The Morley Agricultural Foundation is a charity that supports farming in the East of England by funding agricultural research, student studies, professional development of farmers and others and a variety of educational projects for school age children.

Innovation

Innovation in agriculture refers to the development and implementation of new ideas, technologies, and practices in the agricultural sector.

AKIS

The Agriculture Knowledge & Innovation System

EU Projects

A wide range of EU funded projects and networks contribute to the knowledge landscape in agriculture.

ADAS Future Farming Resilience Fund - Service

The Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF) is a scheme set up by Defra to provide free business support to farmers and land managers during the early years of the agricultural transition. The third phase of the fund is now open for registration.

Biodiversity Net Gain

The concept of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an important component of the UK Government's ambitions to reverse biodiversity loss. It provides a framework for ensuring that development and land management activities leave habitats in a measurably better state than beforehand. 

Anglian Water Grants

After a successful pilot last year, Anglian Water are widening the Innovation Grant offer this Autumn, with applications open from 17 October-30 November 2022.

STFC Food Network+

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Food Network+ (SFN) brings together STFC researchers and facilities with research and industry in the agri-food sector.

Unlocking the potential of agricultural science and technology

In July 2022 the Science and Technology Committee of the House of Commons took evidence on how to unlock the potential of agricultural science and technology.

DEFRA Grants for Farming 2023

In 2023, more than £168m of funding will be available through a variety of grants. This page links to a roundup of all the grants on offer in 2023.

Research in Action: Need, Funding, Outcomes

A joint AFCP and NIAB event exploring what research is needed by farmers and stakeholders.  Hear from researchers looking at cover crops for soil structure and health; fungus and plant nutrient exchange; alleviating subsoil compaction; and more.

Funding for farmers webinar

On Wednesday 6 September, we held a webinar for farmers to learn more about the funding available in England.  

Innovate UK KTN AgriFood webpage

Innovate UK KTN helps organisations interested in AgriFood innovation access the expert informati

New Farming Innovation funding competitions open in March

Farming Futures R&D Fund – Theme 1 (Expression of Interest) This

Private and Public Sector Funding of Agri-Tech R&D: FY 2012/13

Report for Government commissioned by Defra conducted by ADAS & SRUC on the investment in 'Ag

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