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
1. Develop ambitious late-stage innovative solutions, technologies, systems, or approaches that will make significant steps towards improving productivity, profitability, increasing sustainability, and resilience.
2. Help the agriculture sector move towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
3. Support the commercialisation of late-stage experimental development projects that are close to market and ultimately their adoption by farmers.
Your proposal must demonstrate how the project will benefit farmers, growers, or foresters in England.
To be eligible for grant funding, your project must be assessed as eligible and must have secured aligned investment with a lead investor from the pool. You can view the areas of expertise and investment preferences for the pool of investors.
Applying for this competition before speaking to an investor is possible, but initiating dialogue is strongly encouraged. Lead investors can also provide commercial expertise in leadership, market access, skills, and resources.
Successful UK Registered SMEs Will Receive
* Grant funding from Innovate UK.
* Aligned investment funding with one of the programme’s pool of investors acting as the lead investor.
If you need help finding an investor partner, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Investor Partnerships team or Agrifood team.
Lead Organisation Requirements
* Be a UK-registered micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME).
* Be prepared to negotiate heads of terms for private investment.
* An SME can only lead on one application.
Project Requirements
* Eligible costs between £750,000 and £3 million.
* Duration of 18 months.
* All work conducted in the UK.
* Intend to exploit results in or for the UK.
* Start no earlier than 1 April 2026.
* Demonstrate benefits to farmers, growers, or foresters in England.
* Agreement on private investment and heads of terms by 3 December 2025.
Aligned Private Investment
* Must provide at least twice the grant amount in capital.
* Can be used for company growth, scaling, and additional costs.
* Provided under commercial terms negotiated with the lead investor.
* Can be in the form of equity or a convertible loan.
Project Focus
* Demonstrate ambition to finalise a late-stage innovation.
* Show potential for growth and successful investment negotiation.
* Provide a coherent project plan aligned with business strategy.
Impact Areas
* Productivity
* Sustainability and environmental impact
* Progression towards net zero emissions
* Resilience
Industry Challenges or Opportunities
* Livestock
* Plants
* Novel food production systems
* Bioeconomy and agroforestry
Funding Restrictions
* Projects not involving a single SME or collaborative R&D.
* Projects outside the company's growth plan or lacking ROI potential.
* Projects involving equine activities, wild fisheries, aquaculture, cellular proteins, cultivated meat, or TCEA.
* Projects for medicinal or pharmaceutical crops or that do not benefit English farmers, growers, or foresters.
An online briefing event will be held at 11am on Thursday 5 June. Click here for the joining link.
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