Defra Farming Innovation Grants Autumn 2025

Are you working on a project that could transform farming, forestry, or horticulture in England?

Two major competitions are opening this autumn, offering UK businesses access to over £12 million in government innovation grants. These new funding rounds are part of the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) – designed to support collaborative R&D projects that boost productivity, sustainability, and resilience in the agricultural sector.

Whether you are an agri-tech innovator, a forward-thinking farm enterprise, or a research organisation developing practical solutions, this funding provides a valuable opportunity to transform ideas into fully supported projects.

What’s Available?

Feasibility Studies – Round 4

• Competition opens: 13 October 2025
• Funding available: £4.8 million
• Project size: £200,000 – £500,000
• Project length: Up to 24 months
• Deadline: 3 December 2025

Feasibility Studies help you test whether your idea works in real-world conditions before investing further. It’s ideal for early-stage innovation and collaborative projects.

Small R&D Partnerships – Round 4

• Competition opens: 15 September 2025
• Funding available: £7.8 million
• Project size: £1 million – £3 million
• Project length: Up to 30 months
• Deadline: 5 November 2025

This stream supports the development of new farming products, services or systems, taking proven ideas closer to market.

Who Should Apply?

These grants are aimed at UK-registered businesses working collaboratively with:

• Farmers, growers, and foresters
• Research organisations (including universities)
• Other UK-registered businesses (including agri-tech companies and suppliers)

Projects must solve a real-world problem and show measurable outcomes like:

• Improved productivity
• Reduced environmental impact
• Increased resilience for English farming businesses

Funding Breakdown

For Businesses

Funding levels depend on your business size and project type.

Feasibility Studies & Industrial Research Projects:

• Small businesses: 70% of project costs
• Medium businesses: 60%
• Large businesses: 50%

Experimental Development (closer to market):

• Small businesses: 45%
• Medium businesses: 35%
• Large businesses: 25%

For Research Organisations

• Can claim up to 50% of project costs for Feasibility Studies
• Can claim up to 30% of project costs for Small R&D Partnerships
• Must work in collaboration with at least one UK business

Key Competition Dates

Why Work with Myriad?

At Myriad, we specialise in supporting innovation-driven businesses in preparing high-quality, fully compliant grant applications.

Our team will help you:

• Understand the funder’s priorities and eligibility rules
• Structure your bid to score maximum points
• Present your innovation in a way that stands out
• Avoid common pitfalls that lead to rejection
• €300+ million in grants secured across Europe and the UK
• Experts in agriculture, agri-tech, and environmental innovation
• #1 ranked applications and perfect scores from funders

Ready to Apply?

Grant funding is highly competitive – and the quality of your application matters. Our grant bid writers at Myriad can give your project the best possible chance of success.

👉 Book a Free Consultation

Let’s talk about your eligibility, project idea, and funding potential.

Further Reading

• Myriad Wins Over £200K for a Ground-Breaking Poultry Project
• Video: Grant Writing Insights with Lauren Olsen
• Why Use a Grant Writing Specialist?
• Farming Innovation Programme
• Funding for farmers, growers and land managers