The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has officially opened the 2026-27 Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme (NIRFP).

This year's programme has been expanded to encourage wider participation, supporting a more diverse range of applicants and projects that align with the Food Strategy Framework (FSF) and the Food Action Plan (FAP).

Applications are welcome from registered charities and not-for-profit organisations. For the 2026-27 period, the NIRFP will operate across two distinct tranches:

• Tranche 1 is currently open for applications from 8 April until 29 April 2026, covering projects scheduled between 1 May and 30 September 2026. • Tranche 2 will accept applications from 20 July to 10 August 2026, for projects taking place between 1 October 2026 and 31 March 2027.

The updated objectives of the NIRFP focus on promoting nutritious, locally produced food to improve public health and wellbeing, while also enhancing the environmental sustainability and resilience of agri-food supply chains. Additionally, the programme aims to foster a local agri-food sector driven by innovation and prosperity, helping to build a more food-conscious society.

Historically, the initiative has provided vital financial assistance for regional exhibitions, seminars, and information programmes. The current funding round is specifically for projects occurring between May and September 2026. Interested parties must submit their applications by 4:00pm on Wednesday 29 April 2026, with all awards remaining subject to budget availability.