New initiative helps farmers and researchers build impactful partnerships
Research has the greatest impact when farmers and researchers work together.
That’s why we are excited to support the launch of a new Farmer-researcher Matchmaking Initiative as part of the ‘Bridging Fields: working effectively with farmers’ programme at the Royal Agricultural University – home of Farm491.
Whether you are a researcher looking to develop impactful, farmer-centric research, or a farmer with a challenge, idea or question you would like to explore, this initiative is designed to help you find the right partner.
By bringing farmers and researchers together, the initiative hopes to spark new collaborations that:
- Address shared challenges and opportunities
- Co-design research and on-farm trials
- Combine practical experience with research expertise
- Develop solutions that deliver value on the farm and beyond
Launched in 2025 with funding from the Rothschild Foundation, the ‘Bridging Fields’ programme supports UK researchers from all disciplines and at all levels of experience to develop the practical skills needed to work effectively with UK farmers.
Through a focus on collaboration and communication, the programme is helping to build stronger, more meaningful partnerships between researchers and farmers that deliver real-world impact.
At Farm491, we know that meaningful innovation happens when diverse perspectives come together. This initiative is another step towards strengthening connections across the UK’s farming and research communities and supporting farmer-centred innovation.
We encourage UK-based researchers and farmers to apply.
Find out more and apply now on the RAU website here.