Defra has opened the latest round of its ADOPT (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies) fund, offering farmers and growers the opportunity to turn practical ideas into on-farm trials.
The scheme is designed to support farmer-led innovation, with no previous trial experience required. Applicants simply need a concept they want to test but lack the time, funding, knowledge or partnerships to deliver.
ADOPT provides both financial backing and hands-on support to help bring those ideas to life. A feature of the programme is the free ADOPT Support Hub, delivered by ADAS, the UK Agri-Tech Centre and the Soil Association. The service supports applicants at every stage from developing an idea and submitting an application through to project delivery and sharing results.
Applicants can also apply for an additional support grant to work with a facilitator, who can help with application writing. Facilitators are involved with all projects to assist with project management, reporting and financial administration. Collaboration is central to ADOPT, with grants awarded to projects where farmers work together.
Commenting on ADOPT, Thomas Slattery, Engagement Lead at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “The ADOPT grants are about helping farmers test ideas by working with other farmers, bringing in additional partners if and when required.
“As well as having the support of a facilitator, farmers might choose to work with other businesses or academics but it’s not essential. What matters most is the project focusing on practical, farmer-led trials to deliver meaningful improvements in productivity, sustainability or resilience.”
ADOPT grants are where the lead applicant is based in England. Collaborators can be located anywhere in the UK. Funding is available on a rolling basis for projects with costs of £50-100,000. The current funding round is open until Wednesday 3 June.
For more information or to explore projects currently underway, please visit: https://farmpep.net/adopt/live-projects
