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Innovate UK Investor Partnerships (Farming Innovation)

Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership

Supports United Kingdom farming innovators through Defra public-private collaboration that strengthens practical innovation outcomes.

ClosedInnovate UKUnited Kingdom

The Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership 2026 is a £5,000,000 joint programme run by Innovate UK and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to co-fund the development of innovative farming solutions by UK agri-tech SMEs. The programme opened on 11 May 2026 at 9:30am UK time and closes on 17 June 2026 at 11:00am UK time. Its distinctive structure blends public grant…

Innovative farming solutions aligned with matched private sector investment from designated investor partners.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.200%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.£5M

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Business Wales logo
Open

SMART Innovation Funding

🇬🇧Business Wales · United Kingdom

Funds Wales-based businesses of all sizes to research and develop new products, processes, or services through discretionary Welsh Government R&D grants.

AIAgritech+12
Business Wales logo
Open

SMART Partnerships

🇬🇧Business Wales · United Kingdom

Funds collaborative R&D between Wales-based businesses and knowledge-base partners, with the Welsh Government covering 100% of the academic or research partner's eligible costs.

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European Commission logo
Scheduled

Horizon Urban Food Innovation Ecosystems

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds two €6M Innovation Actions that help cities grow inclusive, sustainable urban food start-ups and local innovation ecosystems.

AgritechClimate Tech+1
€6MSep'27
European Commission logo
Scheduled

Horizon Organic Farming Data

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds a €6M coordination action that makes organic-farming data more complete, interoperable and useful from farm to consumer.

AgritechClimate Tech+1
€6MSep'27
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs logo
Open

Forest Creation Grant

🇬🇧Defra · United Kingdom

Support for tree planting, woodland creation and habitat connections

AgritechClimate Tech+1
£2K – £1MFeb'27
European Innovation Council logo
Open

EIC Accelerator Challenge: Biotech for Regenerating Agricultural Soils

🇪🇺EIC · European Union

Supports scaling deep-tech for soil health, sustainability, and resilience of EU agriculture.

AgritechBiotech+3
€1M – €12.5MNov'26