Defra Announces SFI26 Application Window and Near-Final Scheme Details
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has today (2 June 2026) published near-final scheme information for the 2026 iteration of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) on GOV.UK. It has also announced that the first application window (Window 1) is likely to open on 30 June 2026.
Near-final versions of scheme guidance
The published materials include detailed requirements for each individual SFI26 action. These can be accessed via the “Find funding for land or farms” tool, as well as through an HTML print version, enabling users to review the full suite of available actions and associated obligations.
In addition, Defra have published near-final form of the terms and conditions that will apply across all SFI26 agreements, alongside the scheme rules setting out the mandatory requirements participants will be expected to meet.
Defra has indicated that these documents are being released in near-final form to allow for final checks and validation. Any amendments ahead of formal confirmation are expected to be minimal and non-substantive.
Opportunity to provide feedback on scheme guidance
Members may wish to review the materials, particularly any changes to actions and scheme requirements that could lead to unintended consequences.
AIC will also be reviewing the guidance and can feed member comments into the Defra stakeholder groups with which it continues to engage. Final versions of the guidance are expected to be published in mid-June, ahead of the opening of the application window.
Application timeline
Before Window 1 opens, Defra will invite a small number of farmers to take part in a controlled roll-out of the scheme to test and refine the application service.
Window 1 is then expected to open from 30 June 2026 for the previously outlined eligible groups; small farms and those without an existing Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement.
A second application window (Window 2) is planned for September 2026 and will be open to all farmers and land managers.
Author
