Farming Futures R&D fund: Automation and Robotics Round 2
Forecasted
Farming Futures R&D fund: Automation and Robotics Round 2 supports business-led collaborations researching agricultural automation and robotics to improve productivity and sustainability in England.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Competition closing date)
Funding Amounts: Up to £20 million total; £500,000–£2.5 million eligible project costs; 12–36 months
Summary: Supports business-led collaborations developing automation and robotics solutions for agriculture, horticulture and forestry that benefit farmers and growers in England.
Key Information: A UK-registered business must lead, and the lead plus at least one eligible partner must request funding.
Description
Defra’s Farming Futures R&D Fund, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, supports collaborative industrial research into ambitious automation and robotics solutions for agriculture, horticulture and forestry. The competition targets challenges involving productivity, resource efficiency, food quality and traceability, waste, crop and animal health, animal welfare and sustainability. It also seeks to reduce reliance on seasonal agricultural labour where automation and robotics offer the most viable solution.
Projects must demonstrate benefits for farmers or growers in England and seek significant improvements in productivity, environmental sustainability, progress towards net zero and longer-term resilience. Proposals must demonstrate environmental benefits and societal impact, include measurable sustainability deliverables, prevent negative sector impacts, align with industry priorities and consider dissemination and knowledge exchange. The competition supports recommendations from Defra’s automation reviews and the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
