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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Our Experts

Simon Baty

Knowledge Transfer Manager - Food

Contact Simon Baty
Simon Baty

Debbie Tully

Knowledge Transfer Manager - Food

Contact Debbie Tully
Debbie Tully

Related Opportunities

Contracts for Innovation: Engineering Biology for Defra and Food Standards Agency, phase 1

Opens: 01/09/2026

Closes: 14/10/2026

Organisations can apply for a share up to £3 million inclusive of VAT, to develop and scale Engineering Biology platforms, products and services.
More information

Farming Innovation Programme: Small R&D Partnership Projects Rd 5

Opens: 01/09/2026

Closes: 14/10/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £13 million for small R&D partnership projects. This funding is from the industry led R&D Partnerships Fund, a part of the Defra Farming Innovation Programme.
More information

Full ADOPT Grant: Round 9

Opens: 14/08/2026

Closes: 07/10/2026

Farming, growing or forestry businesses 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.
More information

ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant: Round 11

Opens: 20/08/2026

Closes: 30/09/2026

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.
More information

Engineering Biology Collaborative R&D: Round 3

Opens: 08/09/2026

Closes: 03/11/2026

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £8.5 million to develop and scale Engineering Biology platforms, products and services. This funding is part of UKRI’s Engineering Biology Programme.
More information

Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP): 2026 – 2027 Round 3

Opens: 13/08/2026

Closes: 14/10/2026

UK registered academic institutions, RTOs or Catapults, working with businesses, can apply for a share of up to £12.5m to fund innovation projects.
More information
View All Funding Opportunities

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