Farming Investment Fund

The Farming Investment Fund (FIF) provides grants to improve productivity, animal health and welfare and bring environmental benefits. FIF is made up of 2 separate funds:

• Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (for grants between £1,000 and £25,000)

• Farming Transformation Fund (for grants between £25,000 and £500,000)

Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2023

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund provides grants for equipment and technology that supports improvements in productivity, slurry management and animal health and welfare.

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2023 is now closed for applications.

For general information about the scheme, you can read the FETF 2023 manual.

For more information about support to improve animal health and welfare, you can read a summary of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

Farming Equipment and Technology Fund Round 1

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund Round 1 is closed for applications.

FETF contact details

For any questions about your claim, email FETFEnquiries@rpa.gov.uk or call the RPA helpline on 03000 200 301 and select the option for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund.

Farming Transformation Fund (FTF)

This fund provides grants towards large capital items to help businesses improve productivity, profitability, animal health and welfare and environmental sustainability. There are 5 grants:

• Improving Farm Productivity
• Slurry Infrastructure
• Calf Housing for Health and Welfare
• Water Management
• Adding Value

Improving Farm Productivity grant Round 2 

The Improving Farm Productivity grant Round 2 provides grants towards large capital items to help farmers and horticulturists improve farm and horticulture productivity through: 

• the use of robotic or automatic equipment and systems to aid crop and livestock production 
• wavelength specific LED lighting for horticultural crops 
• advanced ventilation control units 
• solar photovoltaic (PV) systems 

For robotic or automatic equipment, you can apply for a grant between £25,000 and £500,000 per applicant business. 

For solar PV systems, you can apply for a grant between £15,000 and £100,000 per applicant business. 

The first stage of the application processprocess, will open in January 2024. 

If you’re interested in making an application, please read the Improving Farm Productivity grant Round 2 guidance which gives more detail about the grant and how to apply. 

Improving Farm Productivity grant Round 1 

The Improving Farm Productivity grant Round 1 is complete. 

Information on the grant can be found in the Improving Farm Productivity grant manual  and the How to apply for an Improving Farm Productivity grant.

Slurry Infrastructure grant Round 2

The Slurry Infrastructure grant Round 2 is available to pig, beef and dairy farmers whose farming systems produce slurry. You can apply for a grant to improve or expand your slurry storage capacity and to cover your stores. You must use the grant to meet the grant storage requirements (6 months for beef and dairy, 8 months for pigs).

The grant is competitive. If the grant is oversubscribed, RPA will prioritise projects that have the greatest environmental outcomes. You can apply for a grant between £25,000 and £250,000. 

The first stage of the application process, the online checker, is now openclosed. forSuccessful applications.applicants will be invited to submit a full application by RPA once the stage 1 online applications have been reviewed. If you’rewe interestedinvite inyou makingto ansubmit application,a full application for your project, please read the Slurry Infrastructure grant Round 2 guidance which explains the information you’ll need to provide.

The online checker will close at 11:59pm on 17 January 2024.

Slurry Infrastructure grant Round 1

Stage 1 of the application process is now complete. RPA informed applicants of the outcome of their applications at the end of March 2023. 

If we invited you to submit a full application for your project, you must submit your forms and supporting evidence by 11:59pm on 28 June 2024. 

Before you submit a full application for your project, read the guidance about the Slurry Infrastructure grant.

Calf Housing for Health and Welfare grant

The Calf Housing for Health and Welfare (CHHW) grant is available to the beef and dairy sectors. The grant aims to improve the health and welfare of calves (up to 6 months old) by providing a good ambient environment and facilitating social contact through pair or group housing.  

The grant is competitive, so RPA will prioritise calf housing projects that have the biggest impact on animal health and welfare and have considered innovation and environmental outcomes. 

The CHHW online checker is now closed. RPA will assess the applications received and email applicants with a decision.  

For more information about support to improve animal health and welfare, you can read a summary of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

You can read about the next stages of the application process in the Calf Housing for Health and Welfare grant guidance.

Water Management Grant Round 2

Arable or horticultural businesses in England can apply for funding for projects that improve:

• productivity
• water sustainability
• the environment

You can apply for a grant of between £35,000 and £500,000 per applicant business.

The grant is competitive, so RPA will score your application against the funding priorities and award a grant to the highest scoring applications.

The Water Management Grant online checker is now closed. RPA is assessing the online checker applications received.

Find out what the Water Management Grant Round 2 will fund.

Water Management Grant Round 1

The Water Management grant Round 1 is complete.

You can find information about the grant in the Water Management Grant manual and the How to fill in a Water Management Grant full application.

Adding Value grant

The Adding Value grant is available for growers or producers to add value to eligible agricultural products after they have been harvested or reared. It is competitive, so RPA will score your application based on merit and award a grant to the strongest applications. You can apply for a grant between £25,000 and £300,000.

Before submitting a full application, read the guidance about the Adding Value grant.

The success of your full application will depend on the number and value of applications we receive.

Manage a successful FTF project

If your full application is successful, you’ll receive a GFA. Use the guidance ‘Managing a successful Farming Transformation Fund project’ to help you meet your project’s objectives.

FTF contact details

Email FTF@rpa.gov.uk or call the RPA helpline on 03000 200 301 and select the option for the Farming Transformation Fund.