Proof of Concept Awards

Awards at a glance

Who is eligible?

All projects must be led by an academic from either the University Lincoln, Cambridge or East Anglia. If you are a researcher at any of these Universities and have an idea for a project, we want to hear from you. Contact us at info@ceresagritech.org for more information.

If you have already spun-out a company (registered on companies house) then unfortunately you are not eligible for this funding.

What can a ACE Proof of Concept support?

ACE Proof of Concept support translational research projects in plant agri-tech innovations, excluding small molecule agro-chemicals and traditional plant variety breeding. Technologies must be relevant to plant agri-tech but can come from a variety of one or more scientific disciplines, e.g. plant or crop sciences, genetics as well as robotics, chemistry, computer science, etc. They must support the crop-based production sector and its supply chains the UK or globally.

Please note funds are from Research England and are explicitly intended for HEIs to develop and commercialise their IP. This funding is not for the benefit of companies (see note on Subsidy control in FAQs below).

Timeframe: The ACE funding programme runs until April 2028. Work proposed in project applications should be completed within this timeframe.

How does it work?

Ceres will provide quick access to milestoned ACE translational investment, up to £50,000 per project (80% FEC), based on a 7-minute pitch to the Ceres Investment Committee. Funding rounds are held quarterly, with quick decisions.

Current call deadline for Expression of Interest submissions: 5th October 2026, midnight.

Early applications accepted.

Information sessions with the Ceres team to learn more about the ACE funding programme, the Ceres process, how to apply and ask questions. Sign up with the Eventbrite links below.

Thursday, 20th August, 14.00-15.00: Ceres Agri-Tech ACE funding webinar Tickets, Thursday, August 20 • 2 PM – 3 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite

Monday, 14th September 2026, 12.00-13.00: Ceres Agri-Tech ACE funding webinar Tickets, Monday, September 14 • 12 PM – 1 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite

A few FAQs:

Do I need to be based in the Lincam region to be eligible for funding? Researchers do NOT have to be based in the Lincam (Lincolnshire and N. Cambridgeshire region) but the technology should have positive impact for growers and suppliers in the region e.g. relate to crops grown in the regions or practices used there.

I don’t have any experience in agriculture but I think my tech might work in that space. Can I still apply? If you think you have a novel technology/research that could be transferred to agriculture then please do apply, the Ceres team can help you shape the technology to agriculture.

We have technology that could be impactful, but the team is missing some skills to get it to where it needs to go. Should I apply? Yes! We can help you find research partners to push your project forward e.g. software developers, image specialists, chemists, engineers, agricultural subcontractors.

Our technology needs to be tested on plants in glasshouses or on farms but I don’t have growing experience or any grower contacts. The Ceres team can connect you with their grower network and if necessary subcontractors who are experts in running growing trials where you can test your technology.

Is there a limit on length of projects? The ACE funding programme runs until April 2028 and all projects should be completed within this timeframe.

Industrial partners and subsidy control (formerly State Aid): Please note that our funding does not allow the direct funding of established companies as this constitutes subsidy control and is not allowed. You may include a company in your project proposal but this should be in teh capacity of subcontractor, without rights to the arising IP developed during the project. Future negotiations for licensing with such partners must be demonstrated to be via arms-length negotiations. If you have industrial partners from previous work or in mind for this project then we can discuss the details of the collaboration and background IP after you apply. Or contact us to clarify before your application. info@ceresagritech.org

Will Ceres take some equity in the future company if I receive funding for the project? No. This is funding is awarded as a grant. However, in order to be successful there must be a desire to commercialise the research and a clear route to market for the research (we can help with the latter). The projects are pitched to an investment committee to prepare you for future milestoned fundraising. This can be a learning curve but Ceres will support you with this.

Will I need to pitch to an Investment committee? The projects are pitched to our investment committee to prepare you for future fundraising and milestoned research. This can be quite different to academic presentations but Ceres team are very hands-on and will cocreate the deck with you and coach you in delivering a professional pitch.

Can I collaborate with international researchers? Yes, we encourage collaboration if they have expertise critical to the project. However, we cannot fund international researchers, so they need to provide their own funding or act as subcontractors with no claim to IP. A collaboration agreement will need to be put in place.

How to apply

If you are a researcher from an academic from University of Lincoln, Cambridge or East Anglia and have an idea for a commercially relevant plant agri-tech project, we want to hear from you.

Please see details of the application process below

What are the funding criteria for ACE projects?

Projects must

Be led by a researcher from the Universities of Lincoln, Cambridge or East Anglia. We encourage cross discipline collaboration within a university and between the three universities.
In plant agri-tech, excluding small molecule agri-chemicals and traditional plant variety breeding.
Technologies must be relevant to plant agri-tech but can come from a variety of one or more scientific disciplines, e.g. plant or crop sciences, robotics, chemistry, computer science, etc.
Have strong commercial potential.
With defendable IP.
Have appropriate project work packages and milestones.
Have impact the UK or globally

Universities must

The lead university must manage any intellectual property produced by the project (foreground IP)
The lead university must undertake to diligently commercialise the research and seek support and input from the Ceres team as appropriate.

Application process for ACE Project Awards

Please see relevant page for deadlines for Expression of Interest submissions.

Stage 1: Complete the ACE Expression of interest form and email to info@ceresagritech.org by the EOI submission deadline for the ACE Project Award Call for which you are applying.

Any submissions received post the Project Award EOI submission closing date will be carried forward to the next Project Call, unless you write to withdraw your application.

Stage 2: The EOIs will be short-listed and ranked.

For high potential projects, a member of the Ceres Team will be in touch to discuss your proposal and if it is suitable for ACE funding.

Stage 3: The Ceres Team will help you develop your idea and will connect you to relevant international farmers and growers in our network to ensure your innovation meets their needs.

The Ceres Team will support you to create your pitchdeck. For guidance see our sample pitchdeck

Stage 4: Complete pitchdeck and practise pitching.

Stage 5: Submit to info@ceresagritech.org by the final slidedeck submission deadline for the ACE Project Award call for which you are applying.

Stage 6: Pitch to the Ceres Investment Committee.

Pitches are short 15-minute presentations by appropriate members of your project team, followed by up to 25 minutes of questions.

Developing your idea for an ACE project or Proof of Concept Award

The Ceres Team will help you work through key questions such as:

What problem are you trying to solve?
How big is the problem, i.e., what is the commercial opportunity?
How will your technology fix the problem?
What is the competition? Are there other solutions on the market and if so, how is yours better?
Who will your customers be and how will you get them to adopt your solution?
Have you worked with farmers and growers to understand their needs?
What supporting data do you have to show your solution works?
Do you need to consider sponsors or industry collaborators? For example, who funded any prior work? If background intellectual property is involved, will you be free to exploit it during and after the ACE project?
How will you get your technology to market?
How much ACE funding do you need and what will you use it for? How long will the project take?
How will you structure the project? Have you included milestones (stop/go points during the project), and what are your longer-term plans i.e., after ACE funding.
Have you found farmers and growers who will trial your innovation?
What will be the impacts in the UK and globally?
How to pitch for success.

How Ceres can help you?

The Ceres Team will help you work through key questions such as

What problem are you trying to solve?
What is the commercial opportunity?
Rationale behind your idea, how will your proposed solution fix the problem if successfully proven?
What is your proposal, with timings and costs?
What will be the outputs?
What are your longer-term plans for commercialisation?

Preparing for your ACE award pitch

The Ceres Team will help you develop your project from idea to pitch to give your project the best chance of winning ACE funding.

The Ceres team will talk you through the process and help you develop your pitchdeck.
Your pitch should contain ca 7 slides for a PoC pitch and ca 12 for a Project award, together with additional supporting slides as a pre-read covering all elements of your project in more detail.
It should focus on your business case.
The sample pitchdeck contains suggestions and guidance on the content required.
Pitches are short, presentations by appropriate members of your project team, followed by up to 10 minutes of questions.
8 minutes for PoC, up to 15 for Project Awards
Your final pitchdeck will be submitted to the Ceres Investment Committee 2 weeks before the meeting.

Post ACE support

After your project is awarded funding, the Ceres Team will continue to support you on your journey towards commercialisation of your technology by facilitating:

Project management during the lifetime of the project.
Technology development to licensing stage.
IP protection and exploitation.
Technical feasibility studies and prototype development.
Access to mentor networks.
Establishment of spin-out companies.
Connection to potential onward investment.

ACE Proof of Concept Awards: Universities of Lincoln, Cambridge and East Anglia