Draft prepared 23 May 2026. Dates and windows below are based on GOV.UK, Defra Farming Blog and official grant pages checked on 23 May 2026. Always check the current scheme guidance before applying, because Defra and RPA windows can close early if budgets are allocated.
UK farming grants deadline calendar 2026: the working list of SFI, Capital Grants, FETF, Countryside Stewardship, protected landscape and innovation funding dates that English farms should have on the wall. This page sits alongside the main UK farming grants 2026 guide.
The next deadlines to watch
This section is built for quick checking on a phone. Each date has the scheme, what it means and the farm action in one block, rather than a wide table.
3 June 2026, 11:00am
Scheme: Full ADOPT Grant Round 7.
What it means: Closing date for a share of funding for on-farm trial and demonstration projects.
Farm action: Only pursue this if you have a real trial idea, a partner route and enough time to write the project properly.
June 2026
Scheme: SFI26 Window 1.
What it means: First SFI26 application window opens for eligible small farms and farms without an existing ELM revenue agreement.
Farm action: Check maps, SBI, land parcels, land covers and whether you fit Window 1 before spending time on the application.
June to around August 2026
Scheme: SFI26 Window 1 expected open period.
What it means: Defra says the first window is expected to stay open for around two months, but it may close earlier if its budget is allocated.
Farm action: Do not wait until the last week. Decide the actions, check evidence and submit once the agreement makes sense.
July 2026
Scheme: Capital Grants 2026.
What it means: The 2026 Capital Grants offer opens, with £225 million available across the round.
Farm action: Prioritise capital work that has a clear environmental case, sensible cashflow and evidence you can actually gather.
September 2026
Scheme: SFI26 Window 2.
What it means: Second SFI26 application window opens for a wider group of eligible farms.
Farm action: If Window 1 does not fit your business, use the summer to prepare maps, rotation notes, stocking evidence and action choices.
Open from 5 January 2026
Scheme: Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026.
What it means: Higher Tier Capital Grants are open all year for eligible work.
Farm action: Check whether the work needs specialist advice, historic environment input, protected site consent or other evidence before applying.
Local timing
Scheme: Farming in Protected Landscapes.
What it means: The programme has been extended, with supported projects able to run to March 2029.
Farm action: Contact the local protected landscape team early, because local priorities and panel dates matter more than national wording.
20 January 2027, midday
Scheme: FETF 2026 payment claims.
What it means: Final deadline for successful applicants to submit eligible FETF 2026 payment claims.
Farm action: Keep order confirmations, invoices, delivery evidence, photos and payment proof in one folder before claim time.
May and June 2026 jobs
- Check whether SFI26 Window 1 applies to your business before June opens.
- Finish any ADOPT Round 7 work before 3 June 2026 at 11:00am.
- List capital work that could fit the July 2026 Capital Grants offer.
- Put FETF claim paperwork somewhere safe if you receive an agreement.
- Use the main UK farming grants guide to decide which route deserves your time first.
SFI26 deadlines and windows
Defra plans to open SFI26 in controlled windows rather than as a permanently open application route. Window 1 is due in June 2026 for eligible small farms and farms without an existing ELM revenue agreement. Window 2 is due in September 2026.
The important practical point is budget. If a window has enough eligible applications to use the allocated budget, it may close early. That makes preparation more important than waiting for a perfect moment.
Capital Grants 2026 dates
The 2026 Capital Grants offer is due to open in July 2026 with £225 million available. Defra has said the offer will include improvements from the previous round, including category caps and a controlled approach to demand.
For most farms, the useful work before July is to shortlist the capital items that fit the business anyway. Grants should help you do the right job sooner, not push you into a weak project.
FETF 2026 dates
The FETF 2026 application deadline has passed, but the claim deadline still matters. Successful applicants must claim by 20 January 2027 at midday.
Do not leave evidence until the end. Keep documents and photos as the item is ordered, delivered, paid for and put into use.
Countryside Stewardship and Higher Tier Capital Grants
Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 opened on 5 January 2026 and are listed as open all year. The useful check is not just whether an item is technically open, but whether your holding, feature, consent position and evidence fit the scheme.
For Higher Tier work, assume the preparation takes longer than a simple online form. Boundary features, historic environment work, protected sites and water-related projects can need more evidence and advice.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
Farming in Protected Landscapes is locally managed, so national dates are only part of the story. The programme has been extended, with projects able to continue to March 2029, but each protected landscape area can have its own process, priorities and panel timing.
The monthly grant check
- Check the RPA and Defra pages for any new opening or closing dates.
- Check whether your SBI, land parcels and land covers are correct.
- Keep a running list of jobs that need quotes, consents, maps or photos.
- Compare grant income with cashflow and delivery risk before applying.
- Update the farm calendar with claim dates, not just application dates.
Related grant guides
- UK farming grants 2026 guide
- SFI 2026 actions and payment rates
- Capital Grants 2026 guide
- Countryside Stewardship 2026 guide
- FETF 2026 guide
Official sources checked
- GOV.UK: get ready to apply for SFI26
- Defra Farming Blog: the 2026 Capital Grants offer
- GOV.UK: Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2026
- GOV.UK: claim your FETF 2026 grant payment
- GOV.UK: Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 applicant guide
- GOV.UK: Funding for farmers in protected landscapes
- Find a Grant: Full ADOPT Grant Round 7