Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
Capital Grants
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF)
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT)
Higher Tier capital Grants
Protection and Infrastructure Grants
Woodland Grants
Managing Current Agreements
Landscape Recovery Scheme
Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)
Farming Innovation Programme
Why choose FWAG for Environmental Land Management Advice?
FWAG SouthWest has extensive experience supporting farmers with the wide range of grant schemes available. Your local FWAG SW adviser can help you develop an application that works for your farm business and the environment. We can then prepare and submit an application on your behalf and help with your evidence and record keeping requirements.
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) aims to be accessible to all farmers, offering actions that support sustainable land management, protect habitats, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to resilient food production.
Please note that the SFI 2026 is now closed. We expect the scheme to open again in 2027.
The total budget for SFI26 agreements is £290 million. £60 million of this was available for Window 1. Any funding not allocated through Window 1 is available to applicants in Window 2 with the £180 million remainder of the original budget, and the extra £50 million allocated to SFI to help with farm resilience as a result of the 2026 drought.
SFI26 Application windows
Window 1: Now closed as of 11:59pm on 28th August 2026. It opened from 30th June 2026 to two groups:
- small farms with between 3 and 50 hectares of agricultural land registered with the RPA with an SBI by 1st Jan 2026
- farms larger than 3 hectares without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement (SFI, Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier or Higher Tier, and HLS agreements)
Farmers only needed to be in one of the groups to apply.
Window 2: Now closed as of 22nd September – all budget allocated on day of opening.
Open to all farms over 3 ha in size, including those eligible for the first window who did not apply earlier, or those who have existing agreements.
Expiring agreements eligible for Window 2
Farmers with SFI23, Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier (CSMT) or Higher Tier (CSHT), or Higher Level Stewardship agreements which expire by the end of February 2027 will be able to apply for SFI26 in Window 2 (opening from 22nd September 2026). Successful applicants will have agreement start dates after the final expiring agreement end date.
Eligible farmers are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Defra will publish updates when approximately 25%, 50% and 75% of the budget has been allocated during each window.
Eligibility and key scheme details for SFI26
- Farms must have at least 3 ha of agricultural land registered with the RPA by 1st January 2026 for Window 1, or by point of application for Window 2, with land covers including arable land, permanent grassland and permanent crops (full area does NOT need to be entered into the agreement). Note that woodland does not count towards the agricultural land area required.
- All agreements are 3 years in length. Payments will be made quarterly.
- The new scheme includes 71 actions, reduced from 102 in the previous round.
- Payment rates have changed for some actions.
- Only one SFI26 agreement is allowed per SBI number.
- A £100,000 cap per agreement year applies. This is in addition to SFI 2023 and SFI 2024 agreements you may already have.
- Rotational action areas cannot increase beyond the Year 1 area.
- Supplemental actions must be applied for at the same time as their associated base actions.
- A 25% area cap applies to 10 actions.
- Management payments and payments for plans (e.g., hedgerow assessments, soil assessments, IPM plans, nutrient reviews) have been removed.
- Farms that apply for SFI26 on SSSI land must submit the required SSSI notice to get consent from Natural England as soon as possible once the SFI application is submitted, as the RPA cannot offer an SFI26 agreement until this has been done.
Further details are available via the DEFRA farming blog and the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 webpage. A summary leaflet is available along with a How to apply video, an SFI26 cost benefit tool from AHDB, and a “How to fix common problems” document.
SFI action prescriptions can be found at Find Funding for Land or Farms
How FWAG SW can help :
Our support can include:
- Initial consultation to identify opportunities for your farm
- Additional farm visits to assess eligibility
- Drafting and submitting your application
- RPA mapping checks and relevant consents and permissions
Get in touch to prepare for SFI26:
If you are already working with a FWAG Adviser, contact them to arrange a call or visit to discuss SFI26.
If you are new to FWAG, you can:
- Give us a call on 01823 660684 and we will put you in touch with a local adviser who can help.
- Arrange a 1:1 SFI26 online call to discuss how SFI can benefit your business.
- Join us as a Farmer Member Plus member, which includes up to 4 hours of adviser time to visit your farm and discuss potential funding applications. All FWAG members receive a ~20% discount, enabling us to provide a cost effective service designing schemes that benefit farm businesses and the environment.
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Capital Grants
Applications open on the 30th July 2026 for 3-year agreements, with a budget of £225 million.
Once the offer opens, updates will be provided when 25%, 50% and 75% of the available funding has been allocated. Applications will close when all funding has been allocated.
The scheme supports a range of capital items, in 6 categories:
- Boundaries, trees and orchards (£35,000 funding cap per application)
- Water quality (£25,000 funding cap per application)
- Air quality (£25,000 funding cap per application)
- Natural flood management (£25,000 funding cap per application)
- Habitat assessments
- Habitat improvements
Applications can include items from multiple categories.
Only one application can be submitted per SBI per year.
You can view full scheme details at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2026 and view item prescriptions at www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder
There is likely to be high demand so prepare early
- Seek advice and CSF endorsements early for the 24 items that require CSF support. Note that CSF are unable to support new endorsements for Capital Grant applications in 2026. Endorsements that are less than 2 years old, i.e those made from 2024 onwards, will be accepted for 2026 applications. You can ask CSF for advice and action endorsement for Capital Grant applications in 2027 by sending a completed Catchment Sensitive Farming Advice Request Form to your local mailbox.
- If your application is likely to be for over £50,000, you require a letter on headed paper from a qualified, registered or chartered accountant, confirming that your business has sufficient funds.
- If you are a tenant, you need to complete a land ownership control form if your tenancy does not last for at least 5 years from the start of the agreement.
- Create maps showing where capital items will be carried out, see Annex 3 for guidance.
How we can help:
Our trained Advisers are able to support you to submit an application, contact your advisor or our central office at 01823 660684 or info@fwagsw.org.uk
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Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) – Please note applications for FETF are now closed
FETF provides part funding for equipment that improves productivity, slurry management, and animal health and welfare. Items must satisfy the specifications laid out in the grant application information, and are paid at a set rate. Applications opened 17th March 2026 for six weeks. Following a short extension, the fund closed for applications on 12th May 2026. This is the last round of FETF in it’s current format.
Funding available
- £20m for productivity items (e.g., weed wipers, robotic silage pushers)
- £20m for animal health and welfare (e.g., ventilation systems, biosecurity improvements). Funded vet visits through an Improved Animal Health and Welfare agreement are available to discuss equipment that might be suitable.
- £10m for slurry management (e.g., robotic slurry collectors, low emission spreading equipment)
An application cap of £75,000 applies, awarding between £1000 and £25000 per theme.
Full item lists and guidance are available on GOV.UK.
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Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT)
CSHT agreements are made in consultation with Natural England and support farms with more complex environmental management of habitats such as woodland, heathland, species rich grassland, agroforestry, wood pasture, wetlands and scheduled monuments.
Key details:
- Rolling application window
- Monthly agreement start dates
- Quarterly payments to support cashflow
- Simplified online application through Rural Payments
There are 132 actions and supplements available, with agreements lasting 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. A further 142 capital items can be applied for during the first three years.
Application timing and eligibility:
The CSHT scheme opened on 18th September 2025. Eligible businesses are being invited to apply on a rolling basis. Farms with CSHT or HLS agreements expiring before 31st March 2027 are considered a priority cohort and should already be engaged with the pre-application process or will be contacted by Natural England or the Forestry Commission.
In late summer 2026, farmers will be able to submit expressions of interest for agroforestry, woodland, and new single focus Higher Tier agreements.
Farms who want to apply for woodland or agroforestry Higher Tier agreements must have the relevant agroforestry or woodland management plans in place before submitting an expression of interest. In the case of agroforestry, trees must also be planted before submitting an expression of interest in a Higher Tier application.
Woodland and agroforestry Higher Tier applications
- Farms can now submit expressions of interest for agroforestry and woodland improvement actions by visiting Express interest in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier – GOV.UK
- Farms who want to apply for woodland or agroforestry Higher Tier agreements must have the relevant agroforestry or woodland management plans in place before submitting an expression of interest. In the case of agroforestry, trees must also be planted before submitting an expression of interest in a Higher Tier application.
CS HT Single focus agreements
Single focus agreements will provide a simpler way to access Higher Tier without applying for a full agreement. Initially, these will be available for the following actions only:
- CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland (with related actions and supplements) – for farms who want to continue managing, or restore of create species rich grassland
- CHS2: Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation
- CHS3: Reduce cultivation depths on historic and archaeological features
- CHS4: Control scrub on historic and archaeological features
- CHS5: Manage historic and archaeological features on grassland
- CHS9: Restrict crop establishment depth on historic and archaeological features
Later in the year, a further set of single-focus agreements is planned for:
- CGS19: Manage wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl
- CBE4: Manage traditional orchards
- CBE5: Create traditional orchards
Expressions of interest can be filled in by visiting Express interest in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier – GOV.UK
Preparing for future applications
If you are not yet eligible, consider applying for capital grants to complete supporting plans such as:
- PA1 Implementation plans
- PA3 Woodland management plans
- PA4 Agroforestry plans
- PA7 Species management plans
- PA2 Feasibility studies
- Moorland Mapping tool outputs
Full details about CSHT are available through the DEFRA Farming Blog. If you are interested in applying, get in touch with your FWAG advisor and we can advise on eligibility and next steps, to ensure that you can keep managing or creating habitats that support nature and the environment within your farm business.
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Higher Tier capital grants
Higher Tier Capital Grants are standalone 3 year agreements including capital items to achieve additional environmental benefits.
Applications must be discussed with Natural England before submission.
More information here.
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Protection and Infrastructure grants
For capital items that support improving the management of woodland and to help manage the impact of beaver behaviours.
You can apply for a Protection and Infrastructure grant at any time of the year from 5 January 2026.
More information here.
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Managing current agreements
FWAG South West can help you manage your existing agreements by completing claims, assisting with record keeping and visiting the farm to answer questions on optimal management to achieve scheme objectives.
Agreement claims
Higher Level Stewardship/Entry Level Stewardship agreements
- Require an annual claim to be for revenue payments. Claims are made via a claim form that is emailed or posted to agreement holders. If you have not received your forms please contact the RPA. The deadline for claims in 2026 was 11.59 pm on 15th May Late claims will be subject to payment reductions.
Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreements
- Require an annual claim to be submitted for revenue payments. The Claim window is currently open and agreement holders can now generate their claim on their RPA portal. The deadline for 2026 claims was 11.59 pm on 15th May. Late claims will be subject to payment reductions.
Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 or 2024 agreements
- Require an annual declaration and rotational action declaration to be submitted within the last 2 months of an agreement year. Declarations can be made online through your RPA account. Late declarations can result in delayed or reduced payments.
Countryside Stewardship capital grant agreements
- Require claims to be made after works have been completed and paid for. Claims can be made at any time of year but must be submitted before or within 3 months of the Claim by date in your agreement (agreement holders have 3 years to complete capital works). Claims are submitted via your RPA account and supporting evidence is emailed to the RPA.
More information on claims for Countryside Stewardship agreements can be found here.
More information about SFI declarations be found here and here.
Agreement record keeping
All CS agreements documents state the evidence required at claim or in case of inspection by the RPA, for each action or option included in the agreement. We can provide record keeping templates or advice on a bespoke basis for individual farms. For evidence keeping requirements of SFI agreements, please refer to the relevant SFI manual Sustainable Farming Incentive: guidance for applicants and agreement holders – GOV.UK
Need advice on how to manage your farm to meet agreement objectives?
If you have an agreement that requires regular maintenance then using our Farmer Member Plus membership, which includes 4 hours of adviser time, is a good way to start an annual agreement maintenance plan. We can also put together a plan for more regular farm visits or online calls if helpful.
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Landscape Recovery Scheme
The Landscape Recovery Scheme funds large‑scale, collaborative projects (minimum 500 ha) aimed at restoring nature, enhancing habitats, improving water quality, and increasing carbon sequestration.
Projects must demonstrate long‑term environmental benefits and usually involve partnerships between farmers, landowners, and local communities.
Agreements run for 20+ years and combine public and private finance.
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Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)
FiPL supports farmers and land managers in National Landscapes (formerly AONBs) and National Parks.
The programme funds projects that:
- Support nature recovery
- Mitigate climate change
- Help people connect with the landscape
- Protect cultural heritage and landscape character
Funding has been extended to March 2029, although applications may close earlier if budgets are fully allocated.
FiPL is competitive and prioritises projects that deliver value for money and strong environmental or community outcomes. Applications outside protected landscape boundaries may be accepted where they support programme objectives.
Farmers should speak with their local protected landscape team or FWAG SW adviser to explore opportunities.
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Farming Innovation Programme
The Farming Innovation Programme will provide £70 million of funding to support new research and development that strengthens agriculture. It aims to:
- Increase productivity, sustainability and resilience,
- Reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and horticulture,
- Apply agricultural research to provide real benefits for farmers, growers and foresters,
- Use science to develop solutions for the practical challenges in agriculture and horticulture
The next round will open on 9th April. More information about the opportunities and how to apply can be found on the Farming Innovation Programme site.
The FARMING Innovation Programme includes the ADOPT programme. The Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies Fund (ADOPT) provides collaborative farmer-led, innovation grants to farmers and farm businesses trialling new technology and practices on their farm. If you are thinking of putting in a bid for ADOPT funding, we can help with ideas, approach and linking up with other partners if that’s something you need as well as ongoing facilitation of funding and reporting.
Farmer Welfare Grants
Farming is rewarding, and challenging. Government recognises this by tripling the previous funding available for another round of the Farmer Welfare Grant, £1.5 million will be available over 3 years to support farmer mental health and wellbeing. The last round funded 7 farming organisations and charities to deliver projects that supported mental health and wellbeing in farming communities, allowing these organisations to tailor the offer to local needs, such as the Farming Community Network’s online FarmWell resource expansion. Activities included resilience support, workshops, training, one-to-one assistance and online resources for farmers and their families.
Applications will open on the 6th August. Workshops and discussions with stakeholders have been used to identify improvements to the fund and helped to identify where funding could make the greatest difference. More detail is available on the Defra Farming Blog.
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Woodland Grants
Information on all woodland grants can be found on our Tree Services page.
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Why choose FWAG for Environmental Land Management advice?
- As a charity, we are committed to helping farmers maximise environmental impact while supporting profitable, resilient farm businesses.
- Our team brings decades of experience working with agri‑environment schemes.
- We regularly provide feedback to DEFRA on scheme design—applications submitted via FWAG contribute directly to this insight.
Get in touch
Our advisers are here to help you navigate grant funding and find the best opportunities for your farm. Visit our contact page to speak with the team.
You will find more useful information on our Resource Library page.