RPA Publish further Guidance on Capital Grants 2026

In advance of the scheme opening for applications in July, the RPA have today published further guidance on Capital Grants 2026. 

What the guidance tells us:

Increased funding

£225 million of funding will be available, an increase of £75 million on 2025. However, if funding is allocated at the same rate as 2025, despite the increased budget, demand could see the scheme open for just over six weeks.

Application limit

The RPA will accept submission of one eligible application per calendar year for each business. 

What’s available

The 80 items available will again be divided between 6 funding groups:

• boundaries, trees and orchards
• improved water quality
• improved air quality
• improved natural flood management
• assessments
• improvements

Funding limits

Funding limits will continue to apply to 4 of the item groups:

• Up to £25,000 for the air quality, natural flood management and water quality groups
• Up to £35,000 for the boundaries, trees and orchards group

The value of items falling within the ‘assessment’ and ‘improvement’ groups will remain uncapped.

Changes since 2025

Agroforestry items and the woodland condition assessment will not be available but will instead be available later in 2026 through the Higher Tier Capital Grants offer.

TE6: Tree guard (tube and mesh) has been withdrawn and replaced with a new item; TE19: Tree guard (narrow weld mesh).

The names and specifications for tree guard items TE7 and TE8 have been updated.

FG13: Stone gateposts, TE3: Planting fruit trees, TE16: Use tree surgery to ‘hinge’ a tree into a watercourse, AC2: Countryside educational access visits accreditation, AC3: Install and maintain signage and WN12: Create or restore ponds up to 2 hectares, have all been added.

Additionally, for those items requiring Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer endorsement, endorsement will be required before an application is made.

When the scheme will close

The scheme will close when the available funding is allocated but updates will be given as and when 25%, 50% and 75% of the available funding has been allocated.

At the point of closure, no further applications will be accepted, including those started but not yet submitted.
 

What the guidance doesn’t tell us:

When the scheme will open

Despite confirming that the scheme will re-open in July, the exact date remains unknown.

For advice on the Capital Grant scheme or assistance preparing an application, contact Stags Professional Services on 01823 653424 to be put in touch with your local professional.

 

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