Agricultural Water Resilience Grant

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: £1.3 million
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 may be submitted at any time between 20 July 2026 and 17 January 2027.

Applications received by each review date will be assessed as part of that funding round:

Summer: Opens Monday 20th July 2026, closes midnight on Sunday 27th September 2026
Autumn: Opens Monday 28th September 2026, closes midnight on Sunday 29th November 2026
Winter: Opens Monday 30th November 2026, closes midnight on Sunday 17th January 2027 (this round is not guaranteed and is dependent on remaining funding).

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as available funding may be fully allocated before the final application round.

Applicants will be asked to provide information about their proposed project, expected outcomes, costs, and funding requirements.

Detailed guidance and FAQs will be available from 20 July 2026 onwards from the bottom of this page. This will be updated with new questions as they are received.

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.

Application Form Link

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

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.