Surrey Farming Innovation Accelerator Application

The Surrey Farming Innovation Accelerator helps farmers and growers drive growth, become more profitable and improve efficiency.

The grant will support digital projects designed to modernise operations, improve productivity, diversify and boost long-term resilience.

Apply by 16 August 2026 for grants of up to £35,000 and expert support for your business.

To support your application, we’ve produced:

Farming Innovation Accelerator guidance handbook – including examples of projects and detailed eligibility
Farming Innovation Accelerator FAQs

We advise that all prospective applicants read the above documents before submitting a proposal.

For ease, applicants may want to draft responses in advance of filling out the below form. Use the Farming Innovation Accelerator application form (word doc) as a guide and then copy answers across.

Only applications received via the form below will be accepted. All completed applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Surrey Farming Innovation Accelerator – Application Form

Section 1: Business data

Applicant first name

Applicant last name

Contact number

Business name

Building name or number

Street address

Town

County

Postcode

WhatThreeWords location

Number of employees

Business overview

Briefly describe what your business does.

Summary of proposal

Outline the digital or operational improvements you want to make through the Fund.

Estimated project cost:

Funding requested:

(minimum £10,000, up to £35,000)

Expected start date:

Expected completion date:

(projects must be completed by 31st March 2027)

Section 2: Strategic Fit

Explain how your proposed improvements support the aims of the Fund and strengthen your business.

Prompts:

What problem or opportunity are you addressing?
How will digital or operational improvements help your business?
How will your project support Surrey’s rural economy or rural supply chains?
Will it benefit other rural businesses or communities?

Section 3: Expected Benefits

Part 1: Outputs / Outcomes
Forecast the measurable improvements your project will deliver.

Increased revenue
Increase in revenue linked to project

Baseline (if applicable)

Target

Cost savings
Reduction in production/running costs

Baseline (if applicable)

Target

Job created
New part or full time job role created as result of project

Baseline (if applicable)

Target

Job safeguarded
Job which would/may have gone which was kept secure

Baseline (if applicable)

Target

Staff upskilled
Staff which learned new skills

Baseline (if applicable)

Target

Productivity
Increased yield or labour hours

Baseline (if applicable)

Target

Sustainability
Reduction in water, fertiliser, feed, chemicals or energy use. Increased use of solar or other green energy/technology

Baseline (if applicable)

Target

Part 2: Summary of Benefits (Soft/other benefits)

Describe the practical difference the project will make, how success will be measured, and how benefits will continue beyond the funding. What wider value does your project bring?

Prompts:

Community impact
Supply chain improvements
Employee wellbeing
Environmental or sustainability gains
Customer or visitor experience
Business resilience and future growth

Section 4: Expenditure & payment schedule

Provide a simple breakdown of project costs and when they will be incurred

You will find guidance on relevant information in the Handbook.
Please note you cannot start your project until it has been approved. You will need to submit invoices and proof of payment to demonstrate project completion.
Prompts:

Main costs (equipment, software, consultancy, training).
When each cost will be paid.
Any milestones linked to payments.

Section 5: Need for funding & viability

Demonstrate that your project is deliverable and explain why public investment is essential

Prompts:

Why now?
Why can’t you fully fund this yourself?
What happens if the grant isn’t awarded?
Who will lead the project and what experience do they bring?
Funding sources (if project over £35,000)

Section 6: Deliverability

Provide a clear plan for how you will deliver the project

Prompts:

Timeline and milestones/Key performance Indicators (KPIs).
Dependencies and readiness (permissions, procurement).
Key risks and mitigation.
How progress and success will be monitored.

Section 7: Supporting information

File Upload

Please attach:

Supplier quotes (two quotes per grant funded item)
Recent business full accounts (three years of full accounts)

Maximum file size: 134.22MB

Section 9: Declaration

Business compliance

I confirm the business fits the SME criteria, the project complies with the UK Subsidy Control Act 2022 and that the information provided is accurate.

Participation

I confirm that I will fully participate in all aspect of the programme, including the support programme.

If you are human, leave this field blank.