Progressing SFI26 applications from Windows 1 and 2

In this blog, we give an update on the nearly 19,000 applications received during Windows 1 and 2 of the SFI26 offer. 

It also confirms arrangements for Window 2 exception groups.

Progress on agreement offers

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) continues to process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

We received around 6,700 applications in Window 1. Of these, we’ve issued roughly 6,600 agreement offers, of which 95% have now started. 

Of the approximately 12,200 applications received in Window 2, the RPA has issued around 2,500 agreement offers so far. Roughly 36% of these agreement offers are now live. 

Applications are usually processed in the order in which they were submitted. Some applications require additional checks and can therefore take longer to process. However, processing is progressing well overall. 

SFI26 Window 2 ‘exception groups’

Previously, we said we would allow two small ‘exception groups’, who contacted the RPA before Window 2 closed, to continue with their applications, as follows: 

‘assisted digital’ farmers – who need the RPA to complete an application on their behalf  ‘technical issue’ farmers – who had started an application but did not submit it before Window 2 closed (‘started not submitted’ (SNS) farmers) and were prevented from applying because of a technical issue with the application service 

Given the short Window 2 application period, Ministers have decided to extend the ‘technical issue’ exception group to include: 

a small number of additional SNS farmers who reported valid technical issues up to one week after Window 2 closed (by 11:59pm on 29 September 2026)  farmers who (i) submitted applications affected by a valid technical issue before Window 2 closed on 22 September; and (ii) reported that valid technical issue up to one week after Window 2 closed (by 11:59pm on 29 September 2026). They will be allowed to amend their submitted applications to include elements which the system should have allowed them to apply for under the scheme rules. 

Farmers who reported issues after 11:59pm on 29 September will not qualify for the extended technical issue exception group. 

This is a targeted response to the specific set of circumstances for Window 2. It does not set a precedent for how we will approach exception groups in future. 

The RPA is continuing to work through queries received from farmers and agents as quickly as possible. This includes assessing reports of technical issues. This may take a few more weeks to complete. 

Some farmers and agents have reported that a technical issue prevented them from applying for SFI actions on 22 September which they expected to be available. However, in many of these cases, the system correctly prevented them from applying for combinations of ineligible actions. 

Where, following assessment, the RPA finds that this is the case, these SFI26 applications will not be considered as a technical issue exception. This will similarly be the case for queries without sufficient supporting evidence for the RPA to confirm that there was a valid technical issue. 

Following assessment, the RPA will write to farmers and agents to confirm whether they are considered to be in an exception group or not. 

We are continuing our close work with farmers and stakeholders to look at how we can improve SFI for next year. As part of this, we are exploring alternatives to a first come, first served application process for SFI in 2027.

Funding available through Higher Tier

Farmers can still apply for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) funding via the Expression of Interest (EOI) process. 

You can submit EOIs for woodland improvement and agroforestry, as well as new single-focus agreements for management of species rich grassland and scheduled monument management. 

https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2026/10/15/progressing-sfi26-applications-from-windows-1-and-2/

seen at 14:43, 15 October in Farming.