Proof of Concept Awards

Lincam funding scope

Who is eligible?

All projects must be led by an academic from either the University of Lincoln or the University of Cambridge . If you are a researcher at either 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 Proof of Concept Award support?

Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech Project Awards support translational research projects in crop-related agri-tech that have strong commercial and will have impact in the Lincam region of Lincolnshire and North Cambridgeshire.

Please note funds are from EPSRC 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: Please note that the Lincam funding programme runs until August 2027. Work proposed in project applications should be completed within this timeframe.

How does it work?

Ceres will provide quick access to milestoned Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech translational investment, anywhere between £5, 000 – 20,000 per project (no FEC), based on a 7-minute pitch to the Ceres Investment Committee. Funding rounds are held quarterly, with quick decisions.

EOI submissions:

Deadline Monday, 5th October 2026, midnight.

Lincam funding webinars

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

Tuesday, 18th August 2026, 11.00-12.00: Ceres Agri-Tech Lincam funding webinar Tickets, Tuesday, August 18 • 11 AM – 12 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite

Monday, 7th September 2026, 12.00-13.00: Ceres Agri-Tech Lincam funding webinar Tickets, Monday, September 7 • 12 PM – 1 PM GMT+1 | Eventbrite

Submit questions by emailing us at info@ceresagritech.org

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 Lincam funding programme runs until August 2027 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.

More FAQs

How to apply

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

The application process is detailed below

What are the funding criteria for Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech Proof of Concept Awards for Universities of Lincoln and Cambridge?

Projects must

Be led by a researcher from either the University of Lincoln or the University of Cambridge. We encourage cross discipline collaboration within a university and between the Universities of Lincoln and Cambridge.
In crop-related agri-tech.
With ca 50% of the technologies in EPSRC scope, e.g., robotics, AI, complex systems, Sensors, 5G and networks, machine learning, digital phenotyping, digital supply chains, net zero ag.
Have commercial potential.
With defendable IP.
Have appropriate project work packages and milestones.
Must have impact in the Lincam region. See section below on impact for details.

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 Agri-Tech LINCAM team as appropriate.

What is Impact in the Lincam region?

The primary objective of this funding is to develop and implement crop-related agri-tech that delivers impact in the LINCAM region of Lincolnshire and north Cambridgeshire. These impacts must concurrently be economic and environmental and / or social.

This section provides guidance with examples on how the Investment Committee will assess the potential economic, environmental and social impacts of a project.

Economic impact in the Lincam region

This may include forming a spin-out, which is located in LINCAM, and significant trialing in the LINCAM region. Alternatively, if the business will not to be based in LINCAM it can demonstrate significant commercial support from LINCAM regional businesses.

Gold star	Spin-out in LINCAM	Impact for farmers and growers in LINCAM
Silver star	Spin-out in another region	Impact for farmers and growers in LINCAM
Bronze star	Licence deal	Impact for farmers and growers in LINCAM
Not eligible	No research translation	No impact in the region

Environmental impact in the Lincam region

Examples of possible environmental sustainability improvements include:

Reducing resource consumption.
Reduce the use of synthetic chemicals.
Minimizing ecological footprint.
Fostering ecosystem conservation.
Biodiversity expansion.
Promote long term soil and crop health.
Sustainable intensification.

Social Impact in the Lincam region

Examples of enhancing social impact include:

Contributing to livelihood improvements.
Creating value jobs.
Contributing to social inclusion and diversity.
Enabling the wider supply-chain.
Securing foreign direct investment.
Promoting suitable access to technology including digital connectivity.
Enable public investments in infrastructure.
Supporting rural communities.

Application Process for Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech Proof of Concept Awards For Universities of Lincoln and Cambridge

Please see Submission Deadline table for details of the next Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech for UK Universities and EPSRC approved RTOs call.

Stage 1: Complete the Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech Proof of Concept Award Expression of Interest (EOI) Form

and email to info@ceresagritech.org by the EOI submission deadline for the Lincam Proof of Concept Award call for which you are applying.

Any submissions received post the Proof of Concept 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 by members of the Lincam Executive Team.

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

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

The Ceres Team will support you to create your pitchdeck. For guidance see Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech Proof of Concept Sample Pitchdeck

Stage 4: Complete pitchdeck and practise pitching.

Stage 5: Submit to info@ceresagritech.org by the final slidedeck submission deadline for the Proof of Concept Award Call for which you are applying.

Stage 6: Pitch to the Ceres Investment Committee.

How can Ceres help develop your Lincam Agri-Tech Proof of Concept pitchdeck?

The Ceres Team can help with:

Refining project ideas into viable commercial propositions.
Connecting you with farmers and growers in the Lincam network to understand their needs.
Developing your idea to maximise the commercial opportunity.
Building a business case by exploring the scope of the opportunity, including competitor analysis, route to market, IP management, potential return on investment…and much more.
Finding collaborators with complementary expertise.
Connecting you with farmers and growers to trial your crop-related agri-tech innovations.
What will be the economic and / or environmental and social impact in the Lincam region?
Preparing project pitchdeck.
Pitching practise.

Developing your idea for a Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech 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 in our Lincam network 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 Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech project?
How will you get your technology to market?
How much Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech 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 Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech funding.
Have you found farmers and growers in the Lincam region who will trial your innovation?
What will be the impacts in Lincam?
How to pitch for success.

Preparing your Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech Proof of Concept pitchdeck

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

The Ceres team will talk you through the process and help you develop your pitchdeck.
Your pitch should contain ca 6 slides for the pitch itself, together with additional supporting slides covering all elements of your project in more detail.
It should focus on your business case.
The Project Award sample pitchdeck contains suggestions and guidance on the content required.
Pitches are short, 7-minute presentations by appropriate members of your project team, followed by up to 10 minutes of questions.
Your final pitchdeck must be submitted by the final submission date for Lincam Project Award call for which you are applying.

Post Award Lincam Ceres Agri-Tech Proof of Concept Project 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.

Lincam Proof of Concept Awards: Universities of Lincoln and Cambridge