Research Funding
Funding of R&D will only bring effective returns to UK growers if:
- The right projects are developed
- They are systematically monitored
- The results are communicated effectively to enable their implementation.
The Commissioning Process
To qualify for HDC funding, projects must have:
- Clearly stated objectives
- Measurable milestones to enable the progress of the project to be assessed, and
- Indicate how the results will be exploited by the industry after completion of the project.
The projects are all monitored regularly and reviewed by the Industry Representatives, HDC technical staff and other advisors (e.g. growers and scientists) to check progress against the project's objectives and milestones.
Annual and Final Reports are published by the HDC. All reports have the results interpreted for practical use by growers, in a Grower Summary.
HDC has produced a set of Research Guidelines that go in to more detail about each step of the project commissioning and management process. The Guidelines include information on the following:
- Introduction
- Concept notes
- Full proposals
- Project Leaders
- Industry Representatives
- Reports
- Self-Assessment Forms
- LINK projects
A hardcopy of the Research Guidelines can also be requested from the HDC office.
Download Forms and Templates
HDC application form for research funding This new-look application form was published in the summer of 2010.
HDC report template
Applicants are strongly advised to contact the relevant Technical Manager to discuss the most appropriate version of the application form to use, as during the transition period some HDC Panels may only accept applications using the previous Concept Note and Full Proposal template versions.

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