Farming Futures R&D fund: Automation and Robotics Round 2
Forecasted
Farming Futures R&D fund: Automation and Robotics Round 2 supports research teams developing agricultural automation and robotics to improve productivity and sustainability for farmers and growers in England.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Competition closes)
Funding Amounts: Up to £20 million total; eligible project costs of £500,000–£2.5 million over 12–36 months
Summary: Supports collaborative industrial research developing automation and robotics for agriculture, horticulture and forestry, benefiting farmers and growers in England.
Key Information: Projects must be led by a UK registered business collaborating with at least one other eligible UK organisation.
Description
The Farming Futures R&D fund supports ambitious collaborative research into automation and robotics for agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), this competition is delivered with Innovate UK through the Farming Innovation Programme. It supports industrial research addressing sector challenges and reducing reliance on seasonal labour where automation and robotics offer viable solutions.
Projects should significantly improve productivity, sustainability, environmental outcomes, progress towards net zero and longer-term resilience. Priorities include resource efficiency, food quality and traceability, waste reduction, crop and animal health, and animal welfare. Proposals must demonstrate benefits for farmers or growers in England, measurable sustainability deliverables and societal impact. Solutions should align with industry priorities and support dissemination and knowledge exchange across the wider sector.
