How to Apply

Application paperwork

1. Review information and download application documents from the links at the bottom of the page.
2. You should ensure that you read the Guidance for Applicants while completing the Application Form.
3. You must also complete the Project Costs Spreadsheet.
4. If you have any queries while completing these documents, please contact us - we're here to help.
5. Likewise, we're always keen to review draft applications to help their chances of success. When you have a 'first draft' please send to us for comment and feedback.
6. Completed applications must consist of the following:
7. a) Completed Application Form
8. b) Completed Project Costs Spreadsheet NB make sure that costs and information on both documents match and clearly relate to one another
9. c) Quotes (see below)
10. d) Map showing clearly site location and project location within the site
11. e) Completed ‘Not Registered for VAT form’, if applicable
12. f) Copy of any permissions and consents already secured
13. g) A selection of ‘before’ photographs that help illustrate your project
14. h) Evidence of land ownership or management control of the land

i) Evidence of any match funding including value, terms and source(s) of funding

Quotes & costs

1. Where applications include items or activities which could be funded under either Countryside Stewardship or the Farming Equipment or Technology Fund (or other Defra grant programmes), applicants must demonstrate why FiPL is the most appropriate route for delivery.
2. Information is available at Funding for farmers, growers and land managers - GOV.UK. The FiPL team can give you more information on this.
3. For activities & items funded through FiPL which are also available through Countryside Stewardship, costs and specifications must match CS, as detailed at Countryside Stewardship grant finder - GOV.UK.
4. For mileage and hourly rates we mirror those paid through the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund - please refer to sections 6.4.7 & 6.4.8 at Applicant's guide: Facilitation Fund 2024 - GOV.UK. 
5. For other items & activities quotes are required as follows: for single items costing less than £5,000 one quote is required. Items or activities exceeding £5,000 require three written quotes.
6. For 'actual cost' items (requiring quotes) an intervention rate will be applied by the FiPL team. This is the % of the full cost which FiPL will be able to cover. In many cases this will be 100% but where there is or could be commercial gain associated with the project then the intervention rate will be reduced accordingly. For machinery purchases, the intervention rate will never exceed 80%.

Project Completion, Claims & Interim Claims

1. FiPL closes on 31 March 2026. All projects must be completed by 28 February 2026 to allow time for project evaluation and claims to be settled.
2. The FiPL grant for your project will be paid retrospectively upon completion of your project. One payment will be made.
3. In exceptional cases, and by prior agreement only, one interim payment may be made prior to the project completion.
4. If you will need an interim payment please contact the FiPL team at the time of your application to discuss this. You will need to state which of the project costs you will be including in your interim claim, and which will be covered by the final claim.
5. If your project is approved you’ll be asked to provide details of the bank account into which you would like the grant paid at the end of the project. This must be the same bank account from which project payments are made.

Timetables & Deadlines

1. FiPL closes permanently on 31 March 2026. All projects must be completed by 28 February 2026.
2. FiPL applications exceeding £10,000 are considered by the Local Assessment Panel which will meet four times in 2026: 13th of May; 8th of July; 16th of September and 18th of November.
3. Applications must be received by at least two weeks before these dates.
4. Applications of £9,999 or less are considered internally by the National Landscape manage, on an ad hoc basis as and when they are submitted.

Other Information

What we can and cannot fund

We can’t fund projects where there is an existing legal duty to undertake the work or where it relates to conditions of a planning application. We can fund works beyond the statutory minimum.

The control and management of invasive non-native species can be funded, where it delivers value for money and goes beyond statutory obligations.

FiPL cannot 'double fund' projects which are already subject to other funding from the Exchequer.

Your project may be a part of and include other programmes or schemes on the farm that enhance or complement the project outcomes, and if this is the case, it is important to demonstrate in your application how this will be achieved.

Capital items can be natural landscape features or built farm infrastructure, but does not include items such as the purchase of livestock, farm vehicles or renewable energy. Second hand machinery is not eligible.