Guides · September 2026
SFI 2026 Window 2: the date, and a bigger budget
Window 1 closed on 28 August 2026, and DEFRA has said when the general window is expected to open: 22 September 2026. Two more things came with the announcement, and both are good news — the budget went up, and farmers whose current agreement is ending can start their application early.
The budget went up by £50 million
Window 2 was originally allocated £180 million. In mid-August, as part of a wider package of drought support, the government raised it to £230 million — taking the whole SFI 2026 budget to £290 million. A budget-limited window naturally invites a race; a 28% bigger pot means meaningfully more agreements will fit, so an application done carefully still beats one done fast.
Who can apply
Everyone eligible. Window 2 is the general window — the Window 1 restrictions (small farms, or farms with no existing ELM revenue agreement) don't apply. The entry rule is the same as ever: at least 3ha of agricultural land linked to your SBI. The application windows page has the details.
If your current agreement is ending soon
New for Window 2: farmers whose ELM revenue agreement ends by 28 February 2027 can start an application early — before the current agreement expires, and including land that's still in it. DEFRA lists SFI 2023 agreements ending between September 2026 and February 2027, Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and legacy Higher Tier agreements ending 31 December 2026, and HLS agreements ending by 28 February 2027. DEFRA is trying the feature with a small group first before opening it to everyone, so don't worry if you can't see it on day one.
What the RPA says about timing
From Window 1, the RPA reports agreement offers arriving on average within 24 days of submission. One practical exception: if any of your land is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Natural England's consent has to be in place before the RPA can offer you an agreement — if that's you, the notice to Natural England is worth sending ahead of the window, not after it.
Between now and the 22nd
Three weeks is enough time to get ready without rushing. The Window 2 checklist walks through it calmly: your Rural Payments sign-in, your land details, what's already committed under existing agreements, and a shortlist of actions that actually fit your farm.
Always check GOV.UK before you plan around the date — this page is not the official source, and 22 September is DEFRA's expected date, not a promise. FieldBook never submits for you: you apply through the official Rural Payments service.