The Farming Innovation Investor Partnership Competition will accelerate agricultural research and development by blending grant funding with private investment. It specifically seeks to support pioneering projects across the agricultural sector that have demonstrated the potential to grow and generate revenue, supporting the commercialisation of on-farm technologies that can then be rolled out across the industry.

Defra has allocated up to £5 million to this competition. Funding will be in the form of a grant to fund experimental development projects only. Each project’s total costs must be between £750,000 and £3 million.

Projects should focus on solutions that support productivity, environmental sustainability, progression towards net zero emissions, and farming resilience.

To lead a project an organisation must be a UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). It must be prepared to negotiate heads of terms for an aligned private investment. Proposals must be able to demonstrate how the project will benefit farmers, growers or foresters in England.

The competition opens on 24 July 2023. The deadline for applications is 30 August 2023 (11:00 BST).