SFI 2027: what we know so far (kept up to date)
Will there be SFI in 2027, and when will it open? What Defra has said, what happened in SFI26, and what to do now. Checked against Defra's own posts.
Last checked against gov.uk
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- The AgriSync team
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Applies to England. We update this page when Defra publishes anything new.
Short answer
Defra (the government's farming department) plans to offer the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) again in 2027. It says it will try to open it as early as possible. No opening date, budget or action list is out yet. Defra is also looking at other ways to apply than first come, first served.
Will there be an SFI offer in 2027?
Yes, Defra plans one. When Window 2 opened, Defra wrote: "we plan to offer an SFI scheme in 2027" (Defra Farming blog, 22 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)). When it closed the same day, Defra said eligible farmers "will have another opportunity to apply for the SFI in 2027" (22 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
When will SFI 2027 open?
No date has been announced. On 23 September 2026 Defra wrote: "We will look to open the 2027 offer as early as possible to ensure farmers can access funding" (Defra Farming blog (opens in a new tab)). When we checked on 25 October 2026, there was no newer official statement with a date.
Will SFI 2027 be first come, first served?
Maybe not. Defra has said twice that "we are exploring alternatives to a first come, first served application process for SFI in 2027" (23 September (opens in a new tab) and 15 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)). It has not said what the alternative would be.
What happened in SFI26?
| What Defra reported | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Window 1 | Opened 30 June 2026 for small farms and farms without an ELM revenue agreement. Around 6,700 applications. | 30 June (opens in a new tab), 15 October (opens in a new tab) |
| Window 2 | Opened 22 September 2026 for all eligible farmers. Closed at 3:48pm the same day. About 12,200 applications. | Scheme rules, section 2.1 (opens in a new tab), 23 September (opens in a new tab) |
| Money | £310 million allocated to new agreements across both windows, £253 million of it in Window 2 | 23 September (opens in a new tab) |
| Average application in Window 2 | About £20,700 | 23 September (opens in a new tab) |
| Offers so far | Window 1: roughly 6,600 offers, 95% of them started. Window 2: around 2,500 offers so far, roughly 36% live. | 15 October (opens in a new tab) |
More on the scheme itself in What is SFI26?
I applied in Window 2. What happens now?
Defra says applications "are usually processed in the order in which they were submitted" (15 October (opens in a new tab)). Agreements are only offered to eligible applications "if sufficient budget remains" (22 September (opens in a new tab)). If you get an offer, "accept it within 30 calendar days, or the offer will be withdrawn".
How can I get ready for SFI 2027 now?
SFI 2027's rules are not published yet. So get ready in ways that help, whatever the rules turn out to be:
- Register with the RPA (Rural Payments Agency) if you haven't. SFI26 needed an SBI (your farm business number) and at least 3 hectares of farmland linked to it. See What is an SBI number?
- Check your digital maps in the Rural Payments service. Look for every field, the right areas and the right land cover. Ask for changes with Land then Request rural land changes (SFI26 scheme rules, section 5.1.2 (opens in a new tab)).
- Look at the SFI26 actions that would fit your land with Find funding for land or farms (opens in a new tab). SFI 2027 may be different. But it's a good place to start.
- Sort your records field by field. Then applying is quick when the window opens. See SFI evidence: what to keep.
What has changed on this page?
- 25 October 2026: first published. No SFI 2027 date announced yet.
Common questions
Will SFI 2027 use the same actions as SFI26?
Defra has not said. It will publish details of the 2027 offer later. Until then, the SFI26 actions are the most recent official list.
Can I still join SFI26?
No. SFI26 is closed for applications. Both windows closed in 2026 once the money was used up.
Where will the SFI 2027 announcement appear?
Defra has announced each SFI26 window on the Defra Farming blog and updated the scheme guidance on GOV.UK. We will update this page when it does.
Sources
Every source was checked on 25 October 2026. If something has changed, tell us at info@agrisync.co.uk.
- 1.SFI26 Window 2 now open (opens in a new tab), Defra Farming blog22 September 2026
- 2.SFI26 Window 2 now closed (opens in a new tab), Defra Farming blog22 September 2026
- 3.SFI26 Window 2: an update (opens in a new tab), Defra Farming blog23 September 2026
- 4.Progressing SFI26 applications from Windows 1 and 2 (opens in a new tab), Defra Farming blog15 October 2026
- 5.SFI26 Window 1 now open (opens in a new tab), Defra Farming blog30 June 2026
- 6.SFI26: scheme rules and guidance (opens in a new tab), GOV.UKv4.0, August 2026 (page updated 23 September 2026)
- 7.Find funding for land or farms (opens in a new tab), GOV.UK
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