Window 1 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) has now closed. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an application.
As planned, this application window remained open for 2 months before closing. The remaining Window 1 budget will be made available through Window 2.
We have seen strong interest in the scheme and are grateful to all those who chose to apply in this window. We will now continue to process the applications received, and eligible applicants will be offered agreements in due course.
If you receive an agreement offer, please make sure you accept it within 30 calendar days, or the offer will be withdrawn.
If you were eligible to apply but did not submit an application during Window 1, there will be another opportunity when Window 2 opens, which is expected to open on 22 September.
Started but not submitted applicationsSome eligible farmers started an application but did not submit it before Window 1 closed.
We recognise that farmers have many demands on their time, so most of these Window 1 "started but not submitted" (SNS) applications will remain on the system. This means applicants will be able to complete and submit them when Window 2 opens.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will contact these applicants shortly to explain the next steps.
However, some farmers with a Window 1 SNS application will need to start a new application when Window 2 opens. This applies where RPA has had to withdraw the original application because:
the farmer requested a mapping update after starting their Window 1 SNS application, meaning a new application is needed to reflect the updated land details; or the farmer has an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement that expires on or before 28 February 2027, meaning a new application is required for the "apply early" functionality to work.RPA's communication to affected farmers will explain what they need to do and why a new application is required.
The approach of retaining most Window 1 SNS applications on the system so applicants can complete and submit them when Window 2 opens, applies only to Window 1 of SFI26. It does not set a precedent for how SNS applications will be handled in Window 2 of SFI26 or in future SFI application rounds. We will confirm the approach for Window 2 in due course.
Window 1 figures at a glanceIn this post, I'd like to share some headline figures from Window 1.
To remind you, Window 1 was designed to prioritise smaller farm businesses and those without an existing ELM revenue agreement.
We did this to ensure that farms with fewer opportunities to access support were among the first to benefit from the offer. We saw strong interest from the types of businesses that Window 1 was designed to support.
These figures are based on the applications we received, and the information provided by applicants at the point of application. They do not reflect final agreement figures, as applications are still being processed.
Numbers have been rounded to help illustrate the overall picture and should be treated as indicative rather than exact.
Application profilesApproximately 6,500 applications were submitted during Window 1.
69% were from small farms (farms with up to 50 hectares) 87% were from farms without an existing ELM revenue agreement 56% met both criteriaThe average annual agreement value in Window 1 was just under £10,000. This indicates that funding is being successfully distributed across a larger number of farmers, rather than concentrated among a smaller number of high-value recipients.
Top 5 actionsApplicants selected actions across all 14 SFI26 action groups, reflecting the flexibility of the scheme and the diversity of farming businesses taking part.
The most popular actions were:
CLIG3: Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputsThe benefits of this action extend beyond biodiversity. When established alongside cropped land, species-rich grasslands can support the natural processes that underpin resilient food production. Flower-rich habitats provide resources for pollinators and other beneficial insects, while diverse vegetation offers shelter for species that contribute to natural pest regulation. These areas can also slow surface water movement, reducing soil and nutrient losses and helping to retain valuable resources within the farmed landscape.
CHRW2: Manage hedgerowsWell-managed hedgerows can support the natural processes that contribute to resilient food production. Flowering hedgerows provide resources for pollinating insects, while their shelter and habitat benefits encourage populations of beneficial invertebrates that can contribute to natural pest regulation and integrated pest management. Hedgerows can also help reduce wind erosion, slow surface water movement and improve the retention of soil and nutrients within the farmed landscape.
GRH7: Haymaking supplementThis action aims to produce a crop of field-dried hay that is grown and harvested in a way that allows wildflowers and grasses to flower and set seed naturally. This traditional management approach helps to conserve the diverse plant communities found in hay meadows, while also providing valuable sources of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinating insects. In addition, it contributes to improved water quality and supports the maintenance of traditional landscape character, helping to preserve the environmental and cultural value of grassland habitats.
CSAM3: Herbal leysThis action aims to maintain an established herbal ley containing a diverse mixture of grasses, legumes, herbs and wildflowers that provide varied root structures throughout the soil profile.
The ley should include areas of flowering plants from late spring through the summer months, supporting biodiversity and providing valuable resources for pollinators and other wildlife. The purpose of this mixture is to produce a high volume of forage while minimising the need for inorganic fertilisers, improving resilience to drought, and helping to enhance and maintain the soil’s structure, carbon content, biological activity and overall fertility.
WBD1: Manage pondsThe purpose of this action is to increase biodiversity, improve water quality and provide valuable habitat for native aquatic species. Healthy ponds can also contribute to sustainable farming by helping to retain and filter water within the landscape, reducing soil and nutrient loss from surrounding land, supporting pollinators and natural pest predators, and improving the overall environmental resilience of the farm.
Processing timesThe RPA continues to process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible.
While some applications require additional checks and can therefore take longer to assess, applications are progressing well overall.
On average, applicants are currently receiving an agreement offer within 24 days of submitting their application.
Of the approximately 6,500 applications, the RPA has issued around 3,615 agreement offers so far, helping farmers move forward with their activities sooner.
Looking ahead to Window 2We expect Window 2 to open from 22 September for all eligible farmers and land managers.
Before you start an SFI26 application for Window 2, read the ‘Get ready to apply’ guidance in the SFI26 scheme rules and guidance.
It explains the steps you need to take before you start your application, so the process is as straightforward as possible.
This includes making sure that the land parcels you want to include in your application are shown correctly on your digital maps in advance.
If these land details are not correct, it may prevent you from applying for SFI26. Please be aware that mapping updates may impact any existing ELM revenue agreements you already have.
Video supportThe RPA made a step-by-step video that guides you through the application process, so you know exactly what to expect.
Please check that your digital maps show the correct details for any land parcels you want to include in your SFI26 application.
You should also make sure your land use information is up to date, as this is managed by you through the Rural Payments service. Any updates must be completed before you submit your application.
The RPA also created a series of how-to videos to help you update your digital maps.
The RPA has been gathering feedback from Window 1 applicants about their experience, and will make improvements for Window 2, wherever possible.
In addition, a range of measures to support farmers through current drought conditions was recently announced. This includes an additional £50 million for Window 2 of SFI26, bringing the total scheme budget to £290 million for this financial year.
By enabling more farmers to take up SFI actions, we can help businesses improve their resilience to future droughts while delivering benefits for food production and the environment.
Beyond SFI26Looking beyond SFI26, ministers have committed publicly to stabilising the main design of SFI for the duration of this Parliament so that farmers and land managers know what to expect in the years ahead.
In keeping with the commitments made in the Farming Roadmap 2050, we plan to offer an SFI27 scheme in 2027.
Following Window 2 of SFI26, we will consider whether any refinements are needed for SFI27 and will share information on these as early as possible.
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Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: in case you missed it
The new Expression of Interest (EOI) process provides a simpler route into Countryside Stewardship (CSHT) for woodland improvement and agroforestry, as well as new single-focus agreements available for management of species rich grassland and scheduled monument management. Read the guidance to learn more.
https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/29/sfi26-update-window-1-now-closed/
seen at 09:41, 29 August in Farming.