Grant Funding
With the recent round of Capital grant funding closing after just 3 weeks and the abrupt closure of SFI earlier in the year, the opportunities for grants and subsidies feel more limited than in previous years. However there are still a number of opportunities for funding, and we have summarised these below:
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
Funding for: Environmental land management practices and habitat creation/restoration.
Key dates: Currently closed for new applications. Further information expected late summer 2025, for applications early 2026.
Further information: SFI - GOV.UK
Countryside Stewardship (CS) Higher Tier
Funding for: Protection, restoration and enhancement of habitats on important environmental or historical sites.
Key dates: Opening in September but only to farmers who have been invited to make an application (generally those with a recently ended HLS scheme).
Further information: CS - GOV.UK
CS Capital Grants
Funding for: Capital items that improve water and air quality, restore and improve boundaries, and natural flood management. (NB application funding caps of £25,000 for air, water and flood management and £35,000 for boundaries)
Key dates: Applications now closed for 2025 – further round of funding expected in 2026
Further information: Capital Grants - GOV.UK
Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL)
Funding for: Farmers in National Parks, Broads or AONBs, for projects that support nature or climate recovery, protect or improve the landscape character, or provide opportunities for tourism, education or enjoyment of the landscape.
Key dates: Applications will close in March 2026 (or earlier if funds used up before)
Further information: FIPL - GOV.UK
Woodland Management Planning Grant
Funding for: Creating a 10 year Woodland Management Plan. This includes a recommended work programme (with felling licence) and potentially opens up further management funding.
Key dates: Applications currently open year-round
Further information: WMP - GOV.UK
English Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
Funding for: Planting new woodland (at least 1ha). Includes 100% of standard planting costs (plus certain capital items), with additional contributions for woodland in strategic locations and for providing recreational access, plus annual maintenance payments of £400 per ha for 15 years.
Key dates: Applications currently open year-round
Further information: EWCO - GOV.UK
Woodland Tree health
Funding for: Restocking woodland after felling due to a tree health issue (e.g. ash dieback) or support for removal of Phytophthora infected trees and rhododendron.
Key dates: Applications open all year.
Further information: Tree health - GOV.UK
Farming Innovation Programme
Funding for: A series of grants to help farmers and agricultural innovators increase productivity, sustainability and research by applying agricultural research to provide on-farm benefits. Includes the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies Fund (ADOPT) which supports collaborative on-farm trials and experiments.
Key dates: Various – depending on type of project.
Further information: Farming Innovation
Improve Animal Health & Welfare
Funding for: Funding for livestock (cattle, sheep and pigs) farmers to have an annual vet visit to undertake a health and welfare review plus optional endemic disease follow-up visit. For example £436 for sheep flock or £522 for beef herd.
Key dates: Applications currently open year-round
Further information: Animal H&W - GOV.UK
Rural Shared Prosperity Fund
Funding for: Part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, where each local authority is allocated funding from central government to distribute to relevant projects in their rural areas. Capital funding is to support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will have wider benefits to society (including farm diversification) and support new and improved community infrastructure.
Key dates: Application periods dependent on local authority (up until March 2026)
Further information: Contact your local authority or see RSPF - GOV.UK
If we have learnt any lessons from recent events, it is not to delay making applications for grants, and that an understanding of the application process and requirements are vital to a successful claim. If you are interested in any projects or investing in new equipment, please get in contact and we can help advise on the suitability and eligibility for any grant funding.
Download the PDF version here: Grant Funding