Delivered by Water Resources East (WRE) in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, the scheme aims to encourage innovation and investment in projects that make more efficient use of water and help businesses adapt to future water challenges.
Funding is available for a wide range of projects, from proven water-saving technologies to innovative solutions tailored to individual business needs.
Scheme Overview
- Location: Projects must be located within Cambridgeshire
- Open to: Agricultural and horticultural businesses operating within Cambridgeshire
- Grant value: £2,000–£50,000
- Funding contribution: Up to 50% of eligible project costs, paid after costs have been incurred and claimed
- Match funding required: 50%
- Total funding available across all rounds: £1.3 million
- Funding remaining for round 2: Approximately £580,000
- Funding provided by: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) via Cambridgeshire County Council
What can be funded?
The scheme aims to support a broad range of projects that improve water efficiency, water security, and sustainable water management in the agricultural and horticultural sectors in Cambridgeshire. The following list is illustrative and not exhaustive.
Examples include:
- Rainwater harvesting systems
- Precision irrigation technologies
- Trickle and drip irrigation systems
- Soil moisture monitoring equipment and sensors
- Water storage and distribution improvements
- Water reuse and recycling systems
- Innovative water management projects
- Other solutions that reduce water demand or improve water resilience
- Both standard capital items and bespoke projects will be considered.
Who can apply?
Applications are welcomed from agricultural and horticultural businesses with sites in Cambridgeshire.
Projects should demonstrate how they will improve water efficiency, increase resilience to future challenges or make better use of water available.
How to apply
Applications need to be received by midnight on Sunday 29th November 2026.
This is the second and final round of this grant scheme.
Applicants will be asked to provide information about their proposed project, expected outcomes, costs, and funding requirements. If quotes can be supplied by the application deadline, this will increase the efficiency of the application review process.
Detailed guidance and FAQs are available near the bottom of this page.
Please note that applications must be received online. There is, however, a Microsoft Word version of the application form below so that you can see all the information required before you begin to complete the online application via Microsoft Forms.
Round two application form link
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Learn more about the grant scheme and application process
Catch up on our launch webinar, held on Monday 20 July 2026 at 10.00am. Access the presentation slides and watch the webinar recording below to find out more about the grant scheme, eligibility requirements, the application process, and the types of projects that may be eligible for funding.
WATCH HERE
Technical Resources
The following resources contain information that may be useful to consider when planning a water efficiency project.
Resources
Have a question? Get in touch with the grants team below:
How we use your data
Water Resources East will manage your application on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council.
We will use the information you provide to:
- assess your application
- administer the grant
- make funding recommendations
- monitor delivery
- report to the Council and government (Cambridgeshire County Council and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government)
- prevent fraud and carry out grant auditing processes.
We will share relevant information as per the GDPR Privacy Notice.
Your data will be stored securely and retained for up to 7 years for audit and legal purposes.
© Photo credits: Bob Hillier at The Growing Voice