This funding opportunity, the ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant: Round 8, is designed for farming, growing, or forestry businesses located in England. It provides financial support to help these businesses develop a full ADOPT Grant application. The funding is part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, aiming to enhance the quality and accessibility of ADOPT funding.

Funding Details and Objectives

The primary goal of this grant is to award a £2,500 grant to an external Project Facilitator. This support is intended to assist the applicant in developing and submitting a comprehensive Full ADOPT Grant application. Furthermore, the competition aims to improve the overall quality of these grant applications and make the ADOPT funding mechanism more accessible to a broader spectrum of applicants.

Successful applicants must adhere to specific post-award requirements. Specifically, evidence must be provided within three months of the funding being awarded, confirming that the Full ADOPT Grant application has been sent for assessment before any payment can be made. Applicants should note that participation involves entering a competitive process, and funding is subject to availability and consideration of various factors.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must engage with a Project Facilitator who is registered within the Innovate UK Business Connect database. The core requirement is to work with this facilitator to develop and submit a full ADOPT application. Furthermore, the application process requires the applicant to allocate £2500 in the 'Other Costs' section of the application form.

For the project to proceed, the applicant must ensure that the Project Plan includes a clear description of the activities and the expected outcomes. The application must also detail the budget breakdown, ensuring all costs are justifiable and directly related to the project's objectives.

Project Scope and Activities

The project aims to develop a comprehensive plan for sustainable agricultural practices within the region. Key activities include conducting feasibility studies on local soil conditions, implementing pilot programs for water conservation techniques, and organizing workshops for local farmers on modern farming techniques. The expected outcomes are the creation of a detailed best-practice guide and the successful adoption of at least two new sustainable practices by participating farms.

Application Process and Submission

Interested parties must first register on the official funding portal and download the latest application package. The application requires a detailed project narrative, a comprehensive budget breakdown, and supporting documentation, such as letters of intent from local agricultural bodies. All submissions must be finalized and uploaded before the stated deadline to ensure timely review by the panel of experts.