Surrey County Council has begun inviting applications to a new support package for farmers and rural businesses across the county, with a total fund of £500,000 and individual grants of up to £35,000 available.
What the scheme offers
The Surrey Farming Innovation Accelerator will provide 100% direct funding of between £10,000 and £35,000 for eligible projects designed to modernise operations, improve productivity, diversify activity and strengthen long‑term resilience. The grant requires no match funding.
In addition to capital support, participants will receive specialist business support, including consultancy, training courses and peer‑to‑peer learning, delivered over a six‑month programme.
Who can apply
The programme is open to small and medium enterprises across a range of rural sectors in Surrey, including:
- farming and horticulture (explicitly including vineyards and hop growers)
- forestry
- beekeeping
- equine businesses
Applications are being accepted until 16 August 2026. Full details and eligibility criteria are published on the Business Surrey website.
Council rationale and local context
“Surrey’s rural economy contributes a huge amount to our communities and wider economy... The Surrey Farming Innovation Accelerator will give ambitious eligible businesses the tools they need to modernise, diversify and grow,”
These are the words of Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, setting out the council’s aim to tackle barriers cited by farmers: limited access to funding, time pressures and lack of support to adopt new technology.
The scheme is part‑funded by UK Shared Prosperity Funding and sits within wider efforts to sustain village and town economies in Surrey. A recent University of Surrey study referenced by the council identifies roughly 500 farms in the county contributing around £502 million a year to the local economy.
Practical information for applicants
Key points for potential applicants:
- Grants available from £10,000 to £35,000, with no requirement for match funding.
- Programme includes six months of specialist support alongside the funding.
- Open to SMEs in farming, horticulture, forestry, beekeeping and equine sectors.
- Apply by 16 August 2026 via the Business Surrey website.
Organisations considering an application should review the eligibility criteria carefully and prepare evidence of how proposed investments will improve productivity, drive diversification or enhance resilience.
Funding breakdown
| Total fund | Grant range | Support |
|---|---|---|
| £500,000 | £10,000–£35,000 (100% funded) | Specialist consultancy, courses, peer learning (6 months) |
This initiative follows feedback from the rural business community that investment and tailored support are needed to adopt new technology and seize diversification opportunities. The council has indicated that if the Accelerator proves successful it may form a template for further intervention.
For those seeking to apply or to learn more about specific eligibility requirements, detailed guidance and the online application form are available on the Business Surrey website.
Reporting from Surrey County: this scheme represents a tangible attempt by the council to channel government shared prosperity funds into the county’s rural economy at a time when farms and related businesses face both commercial and environmental pressures.
