The UK government has recently unveiled more than a £45 million funding plan to accelerate the development of cutting edge technologies, designed to improve the country’s food security, boost farm profitability and support sustainable agriculture.
The Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Competition opened on 28 April. The competition will distribute up to £20.6 million during the 2025/26 financial year, enabling farmers to trial pioneering technologies directly on their farms.
In addition to testing innovations, participants will have access to bespoke advice and can apply for a £2,500 support grant to assist with application and trial costs.
Two further competitions will open on 5 May under Defra’s flagship Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), delivered by Innovate UK as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI):
- £12.5 million to back collaborative R&D projects aimed at reducing on-farm emissions, thereby making farms more climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable.
- £12.5 million to support research into precision-bred crops—a move designed to improve yields, reduce the need for chemical inputs, and enhance disease resistance. This builds on new possibilities created by the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.
For further information, visit https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/full-adopt-grant-round-one/