The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands in the UK.

The Commission awards the Tree Production Innovation Fund (TPIF) to develop innovative methods to overcome barriers to domestic tree production. Funding is awarded to develop new technologies or techniques that enhance or facilitate UK tree production methods. This will help meet the government’s target of increasing tree and woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050.

Grant funding is available to support innovative projects that address one or more of the following challenges:

• Challenge 1: Efficient use of Forest Reproductive Materials (FRM).
• Challenge 2: Ensuring a diverse and resilient supply of FRM and saplings.
• Challenge 3: Development and adoption of automation and other technologies to enhance productivity.
• Challenge 4: Weed control.
• Challenge 5: Sustainability.
• Challenge 6: Weather.
• Challenge 7: Biosecurity.
• Challenge 8: Tree establishment.

Projects must be environmentally sustainable and not pose a risk to biosecurity. The intended outcomes must be applicable to tree production in England (but not necessarily exclusively so) and be relevant to species with forestry potential (but not necessarily exclusively so). All activity must be pre-commercial.

The scheme is open to a variety 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.

The lead applicant must be a UK-based business, sole trader or organisation. Applicants are encouraged to partner with industry (for example, tree or seed producers) where appropriate. Public bodies are required to partner with private sector third party organisations to be eligible for funding.

The total budget for the scheme in 2025/26 is up to £1.5 million. Up to £200,000 per financial year is available for proposals spanning up to three financial years (to March 2028), but funding beyond March 2026 is subject to the next government spending review. Proposals, whether single or multi-year, must have a minimum total cost of £20,000.

Knowledge transfer webinars are taking place on 20 and 22 May 2025 (10:15 to 16:00) to showcase outputs from previously funded projects. Advance registration is required to attend. A ‘how to apply’ webinar will take place on 28 May 2025 (14:00). Advance registration is required to attend.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 9 July 2025 (23:55).