Capital Grants 2026 — Open Late July. North West Farmers Need to Prepare Now
The 2026 Capital Grants offer is scheduled to open in late July 2026 — and Defra is urging farmers and land managers to get their supporting evidence ready before the offer opens rather than scrambling after.
Last year many applications were submitted without all the necessary evidence, resulting in requests for additional information, delays, and in some cases applications that could not be taken forward because the required evidence was not received before the deadline. With demand expected to exceed the funding available again in 2026, a complete application with all evidence ready from day one gives North West farmers the best chance of a timely decision.
What Are Capital Grants?
Capital Grants help farmers, land managers and rural businesses carry out practical improvements that benefit the environment across England. Funding is available for a wide range of projects including planting trees and hedgerows, improving water quality, installing slurry management equipment, livestock infrastructure, and much more.
You apply online through the Rural Payments service. If you are not yet registered, or need to update your details, do this now — don’t leave it until the offer opens.
👉 Register or update your details at: gov.uk/guidance/update-personal-and-business-details-in-the-rural-payments-service
UPDATE — 27 July 2026: Capital Grants Webinar Rescheduled
Defra has announced a new date for the Capital Grants 2026 webinar. If you registered for the original date this has been moved — check your email for updated joining details.
New webinar date: Tuesday 5 August 2026, 2pm–3pm
The webinar will cover what Capital Grants are available, how to apply, and what supporting evidence you need to prepare. Strongly recommended before submitting an application.
👉 Register for the webinar at: defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2026/07/27/new-date-for-capital-grants-2026-webinar
What Evidence Do You Need to Prepare?
1. Check and update your maps
Accurate land mapping is essential and one of the most common causes of delays. Review your land maps in the Rural Payments Service now and make any necessary updates. Maps must clearly show where capital works will take place, identify any historic features being restored, or outline the area covered by a woodland condition assessment.
2. Check your business details are up to date
Make sure you and your business are correctly registered with the Rural Payments Agency. Check that your land parcels are correctly registered and mapped. Errors here will slow your application down significantly.
3. Check you have sufficient funds in place
Capital Grants are paid once work has been completed — meaning you fund the work upfront and claim back afterwards. If your application is worth more than £50,000 you will need to provide evidence your business has access to sufficient funds to complete the work.
Evidence required: A letter on headed paper from a qualified chartered accountant — ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA or CIMA registered — confirming your business has sufficient funds through profits, reserves, loans or other financing to carry out the proposed work. If your application is likely to exceed £50,000 get this letter organised now as it takes time.
4. Catchment Sensitive Farming support — book it now
24 capital grant items require CSF adviser support before you can apply. Demand for CSF advice visits is already high and advisers are currently focused on requests already received. If you need CSF support for the items listed below, contact your local area team immediately — don’t wait until the offer opens.
Items requiring CSF support include: automatic slurry scrapers, low ammonia flooring, yard drainage, storage tanks, slurry covers, leaky dams, tree planting, and more. Full list below.
You can also register for free CSF events at farmingadviceservice.org.uk/csf/events
5. Check for historic or SSSI designations
If your application includes works affecting historic or archaeological features you may need advice or consent from Historic England. Check your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER) now. If your land falls within a Site of Special Scientific Interest you will need Natural England consent before your agreement can start.
6. Tenant farmers — check your tenancy
If you’re a tenant farmer, check whether your tenancy agreement extends for at least five years from the start of your Capital Grant agreement. If not, you’ll need a countersignature from your landlord and a Land Ownership and Control Form. Start this conversation with your landlord now.
The 24 Items Requiring CSF Adviser Support
These items require Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser support before you apply. If you’ve received CSF support for these items within the last two years you can use that existing support:
AQ1 Automatic slurry scraper · AQ2 Low ammonia emission flooring · RP4 Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks · RP13 Yard underground drainage pipework · RP14 Yard inspection pit · RP15 Concrete yard renewal · RP17 Storage tanks underground · RP18 Above ground tanks · RP19 First flush rainwater diverters · RP20 Relocation of sheep dips and pens · RP21 Relocation of sheep pens only · RP22 Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps · RP23 Installation of livestock drinking troughs · RP24 Lined biobed plus pesticide loading area · RP25 Lined biobed with existing washdown area · RP27 Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area · RP28 Roofing for slurry, silage and livestock areas · RP29 Self-supporting covers for slurry stores · RP30 Floating covers for slurry stores · RP31 Equipment to disrupt tramlines · RP32 Small leaky woody dams · RP33 Large leaky woody dams · TE4 Supply and plant a tree · TE5 Supplement for individual tree shelters
Check Payment Rates in Advance
Use the Capital Grant finder on GOV.UK to check payment rates for individual items and estimate the value of your application before you apply. This helps you plan your finances and know whether the £50,000 evidence threshold applies.
👉 Capital Grant finder: gov.uk/capital-grant-finder
👉 Full Capital Grants 2026 guidance: gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2026
The NW Funding Radar will update this page the moment the 2026 offer opens in late July.
Join our email list below to be notified immediately when applications open.
info@northwestfundingradar.co.uk
Related farming funding:
- SFI26 Window 1 — now open, 25% of budget already allocated
- Farming Innovation Programme 2026 — £123 Million Available for North West Farmers
- Lowland Peat Grants 2026 — up to £2 million, closes September 2026
🆕 Long-Term Grant Pipeline Confirmed to 2036
The government has confirmed £345 million in grants for equipment, technology and research projects will be available to farmers between 2026 and 2036. This gives North West farmers genuine long-term certainty when planning farm investments and capital improvements.
Full details of future rounds will be published on gov.uk. The NW Funding Radar will track and alert you as each new round opens.