Who is eligible for Farming with Nature Transition Scheme — Northern Ireland?

Available in: Northern Ireland. Applicant must be a registered business. Most relevant to: Agriculture & Fisheries.

What is the deadline for Farming with Nature Transition Scheme — Northern Ireland?

This is a rolling scheme with no fixed deadline.

Farming with Nature Transition Scheme — Northern Ireland

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)

Description

An environmental grant of up to £20,000 per year (no minimum application value) for Northern Ireland farm businesses to carry out practical nature-friendly actions — arable field margins, herbal leys, hedgerow and riparian buffer management among them. Delivered under DAERA's Sustainable Agriculture Programme as the practical successor to the pre-2021 Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS). Following a successful Year 1, the expanded Year 2 (2026) scheme added new actions and eligibility for existing Environmental Farming Scheme agreement holders, but its application window (30 June-31 July 2026) has now closed — this entry is included so it is visible ahead of the next expected window rather than because it can be applied to today.

Amount

Up to £20,000 per year, no minimum application value

Deadline

Rolling / no fixed deadline

Eligibility summary

Available in: Northern Ireland.
Applicant must be a registered business.
Most relevant to: Agriculture & Fisheries.

Notes: The 2026 (Year 2) window closed 31 July 2026. Based on the Year 1-to-Year 2 pattern a similar window is expected around mid-2027, but this has not been confirmed — check DAERA's 'Farming with Nature' package page before assuming a date.
Requirement: Farm business in Northern Ireland with a DAERA Category 1 or 2 Business Identification Number; open to prior Year 1 applicants, existing Environmental Farming Scheme agreement holders, and new applicants.

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How to apply

Closed for 2026 (the Year 2 window ran 30 June-31 July 2026). Check DAERA's Farming with Nature package page for the next application window before applying.

View official source

Last verified: 23 August 2026. See the footer disclaimer — this is general information, not financial or tax advice.