ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant Round 10 (UK)

The ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant is part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Farming Innovation Programme, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of England’s farming, growing, and forestry sectors to engage with innovation funding by supporting the development of high-quality applications for on-farm trials and experimental projects.

The grant specifically provides £2,500 to eligible businesses to engage an external Project Facilitator, whose role is to assist in preparing and submitting a Full ADOPT Grant application. The programme seeks to broaden access to ADOPT funding, improve the quality of applications, and strengthen the skills and expertise within the farming ecosystem.

To be eligible, applicants must be active farming, growing, or forestry businesses of any size based in England, operating as established commercial entities (including sole traders and partnerships) with a UK bank account. Applicants must engage a Project Facilitator registered in the Innovate UK Business Connect database and work with them to develop and submit an eligible Full ADOPT Grant application. Community Interest Companies (CICs), charities, and non-commercial organisations are not eligible. Only one application per round is permitted, and a maximum of two Facilitator Support Grants can be received in total.

Successful applicants must provide evidence within three months of funding being awarded that their Full ADOPT Grant application has been submitted for assessment before payment is made. Subcontractors are not allowed, and all projects must comply with relevant UKRI guidance, including animal welfare standards if applicable. Funding decisions may be influenced by prior conduct, outstanding payments, or compliance with UK sanctions.

For more information, visit Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.