More details on ADOPT announced

Defra has released more information about funding and timescales for the ADOPT Fund.

The initiative is part of the Farming Innovation Programme. Funded by Defra and delivered by Innovate UK, it aims to support farmer-led research and development projects, offering farmers the opportunity to trial and test practical solutions to on-farm productivity and sustainability challenges.

The next round of funding has been announced and it offers farmers the chance to apply for additional support for their innovations. However, applicants have until 25 June 2025 to apply for the Full Grant Round 1 of funding.

ADOPT focuses on testing and trialing ideas or solutions that are either new or not yet widely used. Farmers can work together or with their advisors to look for ways to improve productivity, resilience and sustainability.

The fund provides two types of grants:

Support Grants: Up to £2,500 to help develop ideas and bring in expert facilitators

Full Project Grants: Between £50,000 and £100,000 for farmer-led projects

Farmers can apply directly for a full grant or start with a support grant to develop their ideas first. Round 1 includes a full grant option for farmer-led, on-farm projects between £50,000 and £100,000, which closes on 25 June 2025. Multiple rounds of both Support and Full Grants will run through the rest of 2025 and into early 2026.

Facilitator Support Grant

Full ADOPT Grant

Full details and updates can be found on the Farming Innovation Programme at https://farminginnovation.ukri.org/adopt/