Tree Production Innovation Fund 2025

The TPIF supports projects that enhance UK tree production methods. Improving tree production will help meet the government’s target of increasing tree and woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050.

The TPIF encourages the development and adoption of new technologies and ways of working that will:

• improve the productivity and resilience of tree production practices
• improve the quality of seeds and trees produced
• ensure genetically diverse material from a wide range of species and provenances is available
• create resilient treescapes that can withstand climate change, pests and diseases

You can apply for proposals spanning up to 3 financial years (to March 2028), but you must clearly define which outputs will be delivered by March 2026.

Funding beyond March 2026 is subject to the next government spending review. If future funding is not secured (for financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28) we will terminate multi-year agreements at the end of 2025/26 by providing at least 1 months’ notice to agreement holders.

TPIF welcome applications from a wide range of applicants, including:

• private sector nurseries, organisations, and seed suppliers
• public bodies partnered with private sector third party organisations
• research institutes
• universities and colleges
• horticultural and agricultural growers
• private sector research and technology suppliers
• consortia
• new entrants to the sector

Applicants are encouraged to partner with industry (for example, tree or seed producers) where appropriate.  Refer to the directory of forest nurseries.

Projects previously funded through the TPIF are eligible and encouraged to apply. If you are applying for an extension of a previously funded project, you must provide information on potential routes to market or commercialisation plans in your application.

The ‘lead applicant’ must be a UK based business, sole trader or organisation.

Public bodies are required to partner with private sector third party organisations to be eligible for funding.

Forestry England and Forest Research are not eligible for grant funding under TPIF but may be subcontracted on behalf of eligible organisations to complete TPIF related work packages.

To be eligible for funding, your project must:

• contribute to enhancing quantity, quality and/or diversity of trees produced for planting in England by meeting one of our challenges
• be environmentally sustainable
• not pose a risk to biosecurity
• be led by a UK based business, sole trader or organisation
• have intended outcomes applicable to tree production in England (but not necessarily exclusively so)
• be relevant to species with forestry potential (but not necessarily exclusively so)
• not have started before funding is approved
• be limited to pre-commercial activity

Up to £1.5 million in capital grant funding is available through TPIF for 2025/26. You can apply for proposals spanning up to 3 financial years (up to March 2028), but you must clearly define which outputs will be delivered by March 2026.

Proposals, whether single or multi-year, must have a minimum total cost of £20,000. Projects may not exceed £200,000 in any given financial year.

Knowledge transfer webinars

Dates: 20 and 22 May 2025 (both 10.15am-4pm)

2 online ‘TPIF knowledge transfer’ events showcasing outputs from previously funded projects. Join to learn more about recent innovations in tree production: register for TPIF knowledge transfer webinars. Webinar 1 will showcase advances in peat free growing media, tree seed science, and propagation techniques. Webinar 2 will cover advances in robotics/ automation, mycorrhizal applications, and research into Community Tree Nurseries.

‘How to apply’ webinar

Date: 28 May 2025 (2pm)

The TPIF grants team will guide you through the application process. Register for the ‘how to apply’ webinar.

Email tpif@forestrycommission.gov.uk for more information.