Defra and Innovate UK opened Round 2 of the Farming Futures Automation and Robotics competition on 3 August 2026, offering a share of up to GBP 20 million. Projects must be collaborative R&D, cost between GBP 500,000 and GBP 2.5 million, and the deadline to apply is 30 September 2026 at 11am. It forms part of a GBP 53 million expansion that lifts total Farming Innovation Programme funding to GBP 123 million this year.
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UK opens GBP 20m farm automation and robotics R&D fund, closes 30 Sep 2026
Why this matters for founders
Agritech and robotics founders in England can partner with a research or industry collaborator and submit a GBP 500k to GBP 2.5m project via the Innovation Funding Service before the 30 September 2026 deadline. Line up your consortium and eligibility now, since applications close in weeks.
Source: Defra Farming Blog (GOV.UK)
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