Phone: 01394 445225 | Email: [email protected]

How to Apply

Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) is a competitive, Defra-funded grant programme for farmers and land managers in Protected Landscapes. While a national scheme, it is managed locally. It closes permanently on 31st March 2029. It is intended to support projects aligned with specific outcomes under the four themes of Nature, Climate, People and Place. 

Before you apply

  1. You must discuss your project and costings with the FiPL officer before making an application. Please contact the FiPL team via [email protected] or 01502 674 630 / 07793 863317 in the first instance to discuss your idea and eligibility and arrange a site visit.
  2. You must read the ‘Guidance for Applicants’ which can be downloaded alongside your application documents (see below).
  3. Consider whether FiPL is the most appropriate programme for your proposed activities. If an activity is available through Countryside Stewardship, other ELM schemes, the Farming Equipment or Technology Fund (or other Defra programmes), we will direct you to these other programmes unless good reason is provided for funding them through FiPL. For example, these activities are a part of a broader project including ‘actual cost’ items or activities, and that the FiPL project will deliver beyond your existing commitments. We will ask to see a copy of your existing agreement to check for any contradictions or double funding. Information on other funding options available online at Funding for farmers, growers and land managers - GOV.UK and the FiPL team can give you more information on this.

Project Eligibility

Items or activities cannot be funded where you are required to undertake them through rules compliance, legislation or planning requirements. Where applications include ‘standard’ items or activities which could be funded under either Countryside Stewardship or the Farming Equipment or Technology Fund (or other Defra grant programmes), applicants must demonstrate why FiPL is the most appropriate route for delivery.

Application Paperwork

  1.  Review information and download application documents (application form and project costs spreadsheet) and ‘Guidance for Applicants’ from:       
  2. Farming in Protected Landscapes – Dedham Vale National Landscape
  3. Farming in Protected Landscapes – Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape
  4.  If you have any queries while completing these documents, please contact us - we're here to help.
  5. Likewise, we're always keen to review draft applications to help their chances of success. When you have a 'first draft' please send to us for comment and feedback.
  6. Completed applications must consist of the following:
  7. a) Completed Application Form     
  8. b) Completed Project Costs Spreadsheet NB make sure that costs and information on both documents match and clearly relate to one another
  9. c) Quotes (see below)      
  10. d) Map showing clearly site location and project location within the site
  11. e) Completed ‘Not Registered for VAT form’, if applicable
  12. f) Copy of any permissions and consents already secured
  13. g) A selection of ‘before’ photographs that help illustrate your project
  14. h) Evidence of land ownership or management control of the land
  15. i) Evidence of any match funding including value, terms and source(s) of funding
  16. Completed applications MUST be returned by email to both [email protected] and [email protected].
  17. Application form must be in Word.doc format and costs spreadsheet in Excel .xls format - no .pdfs please.
  18. All application documents, including quotes, maps and other documents must be submitted at the same time - even if you're previously sent them to us separately. Ideally all application documents should be submitted in one email.
  19. Photographs / maps must be sent as attachments rather than pasted into the main body of the email or added into the application form.

Quotes & Costs

  1. All items and activities on your cost spreadsheet must clearly relate to the project description in your application form – if the link isn’t obvious, explain it.
  2. For ‘standard’ activities & items funded through FiPL which are also available through Countryside Stewardship, costs and specifications must match CS, as detailed online at Countryside Stewardship grant finder - GOV.UK.
  3. FiPL cannot fund salaries but it can support project management, administration, training etc in relation to specific activities and outcomes. For advice on mileage and hourly rates please contact the FiPL team. 
  4. For other items & activities quotes are required as follows: for single items costing less than £5,000 one quote is required. Items or activities exceeding £5,000 require three written quotes. Grant offers will be based on the lowest of these three quotes.

Project Completion, Claims & Interim Claims

  1. FiPL closes on 31 March 2029. All projects must be completed by 28th February 2029 to allow time for project evaluation and claims to be settled.
  2. Single-year projects (i.e. completing in the same year as it began), will need to be completed by the 28th February that same year. For multi-year projects you will need to submit your annual claim by 28th February even if the project won’t be completed until the following year or later.
  3. If your project is approved you’ll be asked to provide details of the bank account into which you would like the grant paid at the end of the project. This bank account must be in the same name as that from which project payments are made.
  4. Invoices are required for all actual cost activity. A remittance advice (proof that payment has been made) or copy of a bank statement is acceptable as proof of payment.
  5. Items funded at a standard payment rate equivalent to another scheme do not require a receipt or invoice.

Timetables & Deadlines

  1. FiPL closes permanently on 31st March 2029. All projects must be completed by 28th February 2029.
  2. FiPL applications exceeding £10,000 are considered by the Local Assessment Panel which will meet on the following dates: Tuesday 21st July, Tuesday 22nd September, Tuesday 17th November
  3. Applications must be received by at least two weeks before these dates.
  4. Applications of £9,999 or less are considered internally by the National Landscape manager, on an ad hoc basis as and when they are submitted.

Other Information

  1. We can’t fund projects where there is an existing legal duty to undertake the work or where it relates to conditions of a planning application. We can fund works beyond the statutory minimum.
  2. The control and management of invasive non-native species can be funded, where it delivers value for money and goes beyond statutory obligations.
  3. FiPL cannot 'double fund' projects which are already subject to other funding from the Exchequer.
  4. Your project may be a part of and include other programmes or schemes on the farm that enhance or complement the project outcomes, and if this is the case, it is important to demonstrate in your application how this will be achieved.
  5. Capital items can be natural landscape features or built farm infrastructure, but does not include items such as the purchase of livestock, farm vehicles or renewable energy.
  6. Second hand machinery is not eligible.
GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS (PDF)
APPLICATION FORM (WORD DOCUMENT)
PROJECT COSTS SPREADSHEET (EXCEL DOCUMENT)
NOT REGISTERED FOR VAT FORM (WORD DOCUMENT)
Accessibility by WAH