Nutrient Management Solution Funding

Through the £15 million Nutrient Management competition, part of the Farming Innovation Programme, funding is being offered to develop solutions which address the challenges related to nutrient management in soils and water associated with agricultural livestock and crop production. 

 There is now the opportunity to apply for a grant through two competition strands:  

1. Feasibility Studies – projects will be up to 24 months with total costs between £200,000 and £500,000.  
2. 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 material.
• Developing innovative spreading and application technologies to increase productivity and accuracy and reduce environmental impact.
• Adapted fertilisers which reduce risk of leaching and run off.
• 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.  

Dates to note 

• 14 May: Competition text published on Innovation Funding Service.
• 29 May: Competition open to applicants. 
• 30 May: 11.30-13.30 Applicant Briefing Webinar. No need to register for the event. Join the webinar, hosted on Zoom.  
• 5 June: 14:00-16:00. Consortia building event. Register to attend the event.
• 24 July: Competition closes to applicants 11am.

Read more at: Funding available for nutrient management solutions – Farming (blog.gov.uk)