FETF 2026 applications given two-week extention

Farmers in England have been given an extra two weeks to apply for funding to invest in new equipment, after the government extended the deadline for the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).

The Defra scheme was originally due to close on 28 April.

However, applications will now be accepted until 12pm on Tuesday 12 May, giving farmers more time to complete and strengthen their submissions.

See also: Farmers advised to act fast on FETF 2026 scheme

Defra said the extension is intended to help applicants maximise their chances of success, as the fund is competitive and bids are assessed against specific scoring criteria.

In a statement, the department encouraged those who have already started an application to use the additional time to review and finalise their forms, while those yet to apply still have an opportunity to consider how the funding could support their business.

The FETF offers £50m in grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 per theme, covering three areas – productivity, slurry management, and animal health and welfare.

Successful applicants can receive up to 50% of the standard cost of eligible equipment, as set by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

This year’s round remains broadly similar to previous versions of the scheme, although several changes have been introduced.

These include the removal of scoring uplifts and fixed sheep handling systems.

As well as the addition of new items such as handheld digital Brix refractometers for colostrum testing, water heaters, and autonomous grain monitoring robots.

Scoring has also been adjusted for some equipment categories.

Final round

Defra has also confirmed this will be the final round of the FETF in its current format, with wider scheme reforms expected ahead of 2027.

Full guidance for FETF 2026, including eligibility criteria and application details, is available on Gov.UK, alongside webinars and support videos from the RPA.