Food

The Food and Drink Manufacturing sector is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. In terms of economic contribution, it accounts for 17% of all UK manufacturing GVA (£28.2 billion).

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The Food and Drink Manufacturing sector is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. In terms of economic contribution, it accounts for 17% of all UK manufacturing GVA (£28.2 billion). It comprises just over 6,800 businesses and employs nearly 400,000 people. Innovation is key to the Food & Drink Manufacturing sector. Key areas are nutrition, shelf life, packaging, healthy eating, minimal processing, food safety and waste minimisation.

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Simon Baty

Knowledge Transfer Manager - Food

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Simon Baty

Debbie Tully

Knowledge Transfer Manager - Food

Contact Debbie Tully
Debbie Tully

Related Opportunities

Full ADOPT Grant Round 7

Closing Soon

Opens: 09/04/2026

Closes: 03/06/2026

Farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can apply for a share of up to £5 million for on-farm trial and demonstration projects, to improve adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector.
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ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant: Round 9

Opens: 29/05/2026

Closes: 08/07/2026

Farming, growing or forestry businesses based in England can apply for a grant of £2,500, to engage an external Project Facilitator to support the development of a Full ADOPT Grant application.
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AgriScale - Accelerating Agri-tech manufacturing: Experimental Development

Opens: 30/03/2026

Closes: 03/06/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £8 million for projects to accelerate Agri-tech manufacturing.
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AgriScale - Accelerating Agri-tech manufacturing: Industrial Research

Opens: 30/03/2026

Closes: 03/06/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £5 million for projects to close product technology gaps that are preventing movement towards commercial acceptance, scale up and manufacture.
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NAPIC ICURe Discover – September 2026

Opens: 01/06/2026

Closes: 03/09/2026

NAPIC (National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre) ICURe Discover is a part-time hybrid market exploration programme for researchers, technicians and research students, with up to £2,500 support for market discovery activities.
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Defra Farming Innovation Investor Partnership 2026

Opens: 11/05/2026

Closes: 17/06/2026

UK registered micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for a share of up to £5 million to develop innovative farming solutions. This must align with private investment from selected investor partners.
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