We are launching a collaborative R&D competition with up to £13m investment to help crop growers (arable and horticulture, forage and non-food crops) respond to the dual challenges of increasing the productivity of crops while reducing the environmental impact of crop production. This initiative aims to help meet new and existing EU regulations on the approval and use of pesticides (some widely used insecticides, fungicides and weed control products are likely to lose approval from 2010). This competition is particularly relevant to current and new businesses and practitioners across the agricultural supply chain, including those in the following sectors:

• arable crops including wheat, barley, oilseed rape, potatoes and pulse crops
• horticulture
• grasses and forage crops
• crops for biofuels, and other non-food uses
• in the field or protected cultivation.

Key dates
Competition opens 18th January 2010
Optional Briefing Day 27th January 2010 [ Register ] [ Details ]
Optional Expression of Interest deadline 18th February 2010
Compulsory Expressions of Interest deadline 25th February 2010
Feedback provided by 19th March 2010
Feedback discussion in week beginning 22nd March 2010
Applicants briefing (compulsory) 31st March 2010
Registration of intent to submit (compulsory) 22nd April 2010
Deadline for receipt of full applications 29th April 2010
Decision and feedback to applicants 4th June 2010
New projects workshop 7th July 2010