Agricultural Water Resilience Grant

The Agricultural Water Resilience Grant is a £1.3 million programme supporting agricultural and horticultural businesses in Cambridgeshire to improve water efficiency, strengthen resilience to drought and invest in sustainable water management solutions. Grants ranging from £2,000 to £50,000 are available, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs, with applicants providing the remaining match funding.

The scheme is delivered by Water Resources East in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council and is designed to help farming businesses adapt to increasing pressures on water resources resulting from climate change, environmental demands and growing competition for water supplies. Funding can support a wide range of projects, including rainwater harvesting systems, precision irrigation technology, drip irrigation systems, soil moisture monitoring equipment, water storage improvements, recycling and reuse systems, and innovative approaches to water management.

Unlike many traditional grant programmes, the scheme can support both standard capital investments and bespoke projects tailored to the specific needs of individual businesses. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their proposed project will improve water efficiency, reduce water demand, increase drought resilience or make better use of available water resources.

The programme is open to agricultural and horticultural businesses operating within Cambridgeshire and aims to support long-term sustainability and productivity within the sector. Funding is expected to help businesses become more resilient to future water challenges whilst protecting the wider water environment.

Applications are being assessed through a series of funding rounds. The first round closes on 27 September 2026, with further deadlines on 29 November 2026 and 17 January 2027 (subject to remaining funds). Businesses are encouraged to apply early, as available funding may be allocated before the final round.

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