Grants of up to £50,000 are available to farmers in Cornwall to promote innovation in agri-tech.
The Cornwall Agri-tech Project is supporting and accelerating the development of the agri-tech sector to enourage new businesses, jobs and growth.
The innovation grants range from £2,500 to £50,000. Eligible businesses must be operating within the scope of the agri-tech project which are health and welfare in livestock, maximising soil, water and nutrient use efficiency for sustainable crop and livestock production, improving the productivity of speciality crop production and utilising technology to drive agri-tech productivity and innovation.
The grants are available for eligible small and medium sized businesses based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and can be used towards the cost of a range of research, development and innovation (RD&I) activities. These can include feasibility studies, commissioning specialist research, the purchase of equipment for RD&I related activity or to cover consultancy costs to undertake an RD&I project.
Caroline Hanlan and Liz Gilbert, the business engagement managers, can offer businesses support and advice with their application and procurement, ensuring eligibility of activity. If the innovation grant is not the most suitable form of support Ms Hanlan and Ms Gilbert put businesses in contact with other partners in the project to see if a larger collaborative research project would be a better way of achieving the necessary RD&I outcomes.
In addition, there is salary subsidy funding available towards the wages of a job created with a research and development element for eligible businesses within agritech managed by Unlocking Potential.
The Cornwall Agri-tech Project is led by Duchy College and involves the University of Exeter, University of Plymouth, Rothamsted research and the Cornwall Development Company. It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cornwall Council and the Council for the Isles of Scilly.
If you have a great idea which you would like to research or develop, or you know a business that does, get in touch with the team by emailing agritech@cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk
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