The funding for new FIP (Farming Innovation Programme) grants was announced earlier this year including at the NFU's Conference.
Competitions under the FIP focussed on farmer-led innovation grants trialling new technology and practices on farm, and aim to unlock the benefits of precision breeding and support the net zero transition.
Defra has said the three funds will support multiple projects across the R&D lifecycle, from early-stage concepts to on-farm trials.
鈥�Similar investment by Defra in agri-technology has proven to have real benefits in increasing productivity and animal health and welfare on farm.鈥�
NFU Deputy President David Exwood
The first of the three competitions is the which will open for applications on 28 April. .
First announced at the Oxford Farming Conference, ADOPT aims to support farmers looking to test new technologies on their own farms and bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application. Defra has committed up to 拢20.6 million of funding for 2025/26 for ADOPT.
Good value for money
NFU Deputy President David Exwood responded to the news: 鈥淲e welcome the release of these funds, which will play a vital role in supporting on-the-ground investments in farm businesses. Similar investment by Defra in agri-technology has proven to have real benefits in increasing productivity and animal health and welfare on farm.
鈥淭his is why it鈥檚 so important that the government secures a 拢4bn annual agriculture budget for England at the Spending Review.聽
鈥淕rants under the current budget, like ADOPT and FIP, not only benefit farm businesses by giving them the opportunity to invest in climate-smart agri-technology, but they also provide good value for money for the government鈥檚 growth ambitions and legislated environmental targets.鈥�
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said he was 鈥渄elighted to see money getting out the door to British farmers鈥�.
Interested in applying?
To apply for the full ADOPT grant, projects must have total costs between 拢50,000 and 拢100,00 and focus on improving one or more of the following areas:
- Productivity and profitability.
- Resilience to challenges such as climate change and market volatility.
- Progress towards reducing emissions from farming.
Under round 1 of the full ADOPT grant, farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can apply for a share of up to 拢2 million. The funding supports on-farm trial and demonstration projects to improve adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector.聽
Farmers will also be able to access tailored advice and apply for a 拢2,500 support grant at the ADOPT support hub to help them through the application and trial process. Defra will be hosting a webinar on 30 April for those interested in applying. .
Defra has said the other two competitions covering precision breeding and supporting the net zero transition will open for applications in May. This will see 拢12.5 million worth of funding to support collaborative research into ways to reduce on-farm emissions and a further 拢12.5 million to fund R&D using precision-bred crops.
NFU members can keep up to date with the latest competitions on our Farming Innovation Programme essential information page.
