Farmers can apply for a share of £4.5 million for on-farm trials and experiment projects

Farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can compete for a share of up to £4.5 million for on-farm trial and demonstration projects.

The money has been put up by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to improve adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector. The competition is being delivered in partnership with Innovate UK as part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme.

Farmers can enter projects costing between £50,000 and £100,000 which demonstrate an ability to address major on-farm or immediate post farmgate challenges or opportunities. These must have the potential to significantly improve one or more of the following:

• productivity
• resilience
• sustainability and progression towards net zero farming

Entries can be made up to 11am on Wednesday 4 February 2026.

For full information see Competition overview - Full ADOPT Grant: Round 5 - Innovation Funding Service