ADOPT on-farm trial grant is open in England: apply by 2 December

As of 14 October 2026, Round 10 of the Full ADOPT Grant is open for collaborative trials of new ideas on working farms. The Defra and Innovate UK competition page was published on 13 October; applications opened on 8 October and close at 11am UK time on 2 December 2026. The lead must be an active farming, growing or forestry business based in England. Sole traders and partnerships are included if they can show they are established businesses.

Fund size and project costs

The competition has up to £5 million in total, subject to enough high-quality applications. This is not an award for a single farm. Total eligible costs for one project must be between £50,000 and £200,000; this is not the guaranteed grant amount either. A project must run for 6–24 months, start by 1 April 2027 and end by 31 March 2029. Project work must not begin before Innovate UK approves the Grant Offer Letter.

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Under the published industrial research funding rates, an active farming, growing or forestry business based in England, Wales or Scotland may claim up to 80% of its own eligible costs. Other commercial partners' limits depend on size: up to 70% for micro and small organisations, 60% for medium-sized organisations and 50% for large organisations. Partners must meet the balance themselves. These percentages apply to a partner's eligible costs, not to the £5 million competition fund.

Who needs to be involved?

An England-based lead must collaborate with at least one other active farming, growing or forestry business based in the UK. The lead and at least one other organisation must request funding, and no single organisation may claim more than 70% of total project costs. At least 50% of the grant amount requested by farmers, growers and foresters must be allocated to farmers, growers or foresters based in England.

A Project Facilitator is mandatory. They must appear in the Innovate UK Business Connect database and be named in the project team. A separate facilitator support grant exists, but applicants do not need to receive it before applying for a Full ADOPT Grant. Universities, charities and Community Interest Companies cannot lead this bid, although some may join as partners under the published rules.

What projects fit?

The funding is for collaborative trials or demonstrations of solutions that are new or not yet widely used, with the potential to improve productivity, resilience or sustainability. Projects must address a significant challenge in agriculture, horticulture or agro-forestry and show how other farmers, growers or foresters in England could benefit. A routine equipment purchase without an innovative trial does not match the competition's stated purpose.

How to apply

1. Read the full Innovation Funding Service rules and application. Check England-based lead eligibility, bank account, eligible costs and partner limits.
2. Find a farming partner and a registered Project Facilitator, then agree the trial plan, budget split and match funding.
3. Prepare the application materials, including a project plan or Gantt chart and a risk register. Each partner must enter its own costs in the online system.
4. Submit the complete application before 11am on 2 December. Confirm partners have accepted their invitations; no separate advance registration deadline is stated.

Official sources: the UKRI competition page, detailed Innovate UK rules and facilitator database. Check these pages for any changes before applying.