Quick answer
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) offers grants towards a defined list of equipment items that improve productivity, slurry management, animal health and welfare, and the environment on farms in England. Applicants select items from the published list, apply online when the window is open, then claim once items are purchased and installed.
Advisor summary
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) is a Defra capital grant scheme providing one-off contributions toward specified equipment, technology and infrastructure items that improve productivity, deliver environmental benefits, animal health and welfare. FETF runs in periodic rounds with itemised lists and fixed-rate contributions per item.
Who this is for
Farmers, horticulturalists, foresters and contractors in England (with parallel schemes in devolved nations).
Frequently asked questions
Who runs FETF?
Defra via the Rural Payments Agency.
Is it available outside England?
No — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate schemes.
Can I claim for equipment already bought?
No — purchase must occur after grant agreement.
What is the minimum/maximum grant?
Set per round — refer to the live FETF guidance.
Is the item list fixed?
Yes — only items on the published list qualify.
Can I combine FETF with other grants?
Subject to subsidy control rules; check round guidance.
How are contribution rates set?
Fixed per item by Defra/RPA.
Are second-hand items eligible?
Generally no — equipment must usually be new.
How long do I have to spend?
A defined claim window applies — refer to the round guidance.
Where is official guidance?
GOV.UK Farming Equipment and Technology Fund guidance.
Read end-to-end by a FundingAtlas editor against the official source.
Funding amount
Varies
Region
England
Stage
Any stage
Provider
Rural Payments Agency
Advisor summary
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) is a Defra capital grant scheme providing one-off contributions toward specified equipment, technology and infrastructure items that improve productivity, deliver environmental benefits, animal health and welfare. FETF runs in periodic rounds with itemised lists and fixed-rate contributions per item.
Key takeaways
- Itemised list
- England-only
- Round-based
- Minimum / maximum grant
- Post-purchase claim
Who this is for
Farmers, horticulturalists, foresters and contractors in England (with parallel schemes in devolved nations).
Real-world use cases
Productivity items
Animal welfare
Slurry management
What to prepare before applying
- 1
Check current list
- 2
Plan total spend
- 3
Eligibility
- 4
Cashflow
Common mistakes
Wrong specification
Pre-application purchase
Under minimum threshold
Common rejection reasons
Ineligible item
Below minimum
Late claim
Alternative funding routes
Sustainable Farming Incentive
Farming Innovation Programme
Farming in Protected Landscapes
Typical funding journey
- 1
Round opens
- 2
Application
- 3
Award and purchase
- 4
Claim
Advisor view
This sits inside the post-CAP English farming support framework. The right scheme depends on land type, tenancy and farm system — and the rules shift annually.
Usually too early when
Advisor signal
You have no eligible land or holding, no business plan tied to the chosen actions, or you have not checked interactions with existing schemes.
Eligibility
English farmers, growers, foresters and contractors meeting Defra's sector and activity criteria for the relevant FETF round.
Common reasons applications fail
Ineligible land, double-funding with another scheme, weak record-keeping, missing inspection or evidence requirements.
What improves your odds
A clear farm plan, an up-to-date land parcel and holding register, and an adviser familiar with the current handbook and RPA process.
Typical successful applicant
An English farmer, grower or land manager with eligible land, an active business and operational capacity to deliver chosen actions.
Common misconceptions
It is not the same as the old BPS — payments follow action, not hectare. Mistakes around stacking with other schemes lead to clawback.
What comes next
Build the record-keeping discipline before the agreement starts; RPA evidence requirements drive most of the operational burden.
Funding context
Sits alongside Countryside Stewardship, FiPL, capital grants and private-sector environmental markets.
Eligibility Quick Check
A cautious, rules-based check using only the criteria already published for this programme. Not a guarantee — always verify against the official source.
Frequently asked questions
- Who runs FETF?
- Defra via the Rural Payments Agency.
- Is it available outside England?
- No — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate schemes.
- Can I claim for equipment already bought?
- No — purchase must occur after grant agreement.
- What is the minimum/maximum grant?
- Set per round — refer to the live FETF guidance.
- Is the item list fixed?
- Yes — only items on the published list qualify.
- Can I combine FETF with other grants?
- Subject to subsidy control rules; check round guidance.
- How are contribution rates set?
- Fixed per item by Defra/RPA.
- Are second-hand items eligible?
- Generally no — equipment must usually be new.
- How long do I have to spend?
- A defined claim window applies — refer to the round guidance.
- Where is official guidance?
- GOV.UK Farming Equipment and Technology Fund guidance.
Related routes
Industries
Regions
Current-guidance warning
This programme operates on round-based or annually refreshed criteria. Always confirm live eligibility, caps and deadlines on the official source before applying.