Applications are now open for the £15 million Nutrient Management competition which is part of the Farming Innovation Programme. Funding is available to develop solutions which address the challenges related to nutrient management in soils and water associated with agricultural livestock and crop production.
With good nutrient management, farmers and growers can increase their productivity and protect the environment too. Nutrient management involves using either organic or manufactured nutrients as efficiently as possible to maximise plant uptake, crop growth and yield. It also includes applying nutrients where and when they can be best used by plants, thereby combating run-off and soil erosion.
Competition overview
The grant can be applied for through two competition strands:
- Feasibility Studies – projects will be up to 24 months with total costs between £200,000 and £500,000.
- Industrial Research – projects will be between 24 and 36 months with total costs between £500,000 and £1 million.
Projects which might be funded could include:
- Novel organic material treatment technologies, for example, slurry concentration or additives.
- Technologies that allow for more cost-effective transport of products derived from organic materials, for example, pelletisation or dewatering.
- Technologies for the removal of contaminants.
- Improving our understanding of bio stimulants, and how increased nutrient uptake could reduce amounts of nutrient applied.
- Emerging technologies to treat manures and create income streams from these products, for example, gas capture, fuel pellets, growing media, building materials.
- Developing innovative spreading and application technologies to increase productivity and accuracy and reduce environmental impact.
- Adapted fertilisers which reduce risk of leaching and runoff.
- Improving water quality through recovery of waste materials.
Projects should develop technologies that can be readily adopted by English farmers and growers to improve their nutrient management.
Closing date
The competition closes to applicants at 11.00am on 24th July 2024. It is anticipated that a second opportunity to apply for funding will be available later this year.
The competition is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). If you have any questions about the competition, get in touch with Innovate UK: support@iuk.ukri.org
