Funding
Which farming schemes are open?
Every DEFRA funding scheme farmers ask about, and whether it's open to applications right now. Checked 31 August 2026 against GOV.UK's own funding pages.
Open now
SFI 2026
3-year pay-per-action agreements for environmental land management — the successor to SFI 2024.
Window 1 closed 28 August 2026. Window 2 opens to all farms — DEFRA expects it to open 22 September 2026, with a £230 million budget after August's £50 million boost. Farmers whose ELM revenue agreement ends by 28 February 2027 can start an application early.
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
Agreements for land that needs tailored management — woodland, agroforestry and single-priority habitats.
Open by expression of interest for woodland, agroforestry and single-focus agreements (starting with species-rich grassland and scheduled monuments). If your CSHT agreement expires 31 December 2026, or your HLS agreement before 31 March 2027, Natural England contacts you directly.
Capital Grants 2026
One-off payments for capital works — hedge and tree planting, boundaries, water quality and natural flood management items.
Opened 30 July 2026. Applications stay open until the £225 million budget is committed; DEFRA reports strong uptake, so check the remaining budget when you plan works.
Animal health and welfare reviews
A funded vet visit and follow-up for cattle, sheep and pigs, plus poultry biosecurity reviews.
Apply at any time of year through the annual health and welfare review pathway.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
Project funding for farms in National Parks and National Landscapes — nature, climate, people and place projects.
Apply at any time of year; funded projects must finish by March 2029.
England Woodland Creation Offer
Payments towards creating new woodland, with annual maintenance payments after planting.
Open all year round, through the Forestry Commission.
Opening soon
Farmer Collaboration Fund
Funds delivery partners (£200k–£1m a year) to help groups of farmers work together — individual farms don't apply to this one.
Round 1 opens midday 1 September 2026 and closes 30 September. If you're in a farmer group or cluster, your facilitator or delivery partner is the applicant; DEFRA will publish the successful partners.
Closed to applications
SFI 2024 (expanded offer)
The previous SFI offer — 3-year agreements on the 2024 action set.
Closed to new applications since March 2025. Existing agreements run to their end dates as normal — if you hold one, FieldBook tracks its actions and evidence.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2026
Grants of £1,000–£25,000 per theme towards listed equipment — productivity, slurry management, animal health and welfare.
The 2026 round ran 17 March to 12 May. DEFRA has said this was the final standalone FETF round — from 2027 it plans to combine its grant schemes into a simpler offer.
Landscape Recovery
Large-scale, long-term land-use change projects across multiple holdings.
Closed — no new application rounds. Projects from earlier rounds continue.
Slurry Infrastructure Grant
Grants towards slurry storage that meets the 6-month storage standard.
Round 2 is closed and no new round has been announced.
Water Management Grant
Grants towards irrigation reservoirs and water-efficient irrigation equipment.
Round 2 is closed and no new round has been announced.
Adding Value Grant
Grants towards processing, diversifying and adding value to farm produce.
Closed to applications.
Improving Farm Productivity Grant
Grants towards robotic and automatic equipment and solar installations.
Round 2 is closed.
Calf and laying hen housing grants
Grants towards new and upgraded calf housing and laying hen or pullet housing.
Both rounds are closed to applications.
Scheme statuses change — this page is not the official source. Always confirm on GOV.UK before you plan around a window or deadline.