Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Schemes
- Published on: 11 February 2021
- Last updated on: 23 October 2025
General Programme
What the General Equine Breeding Support Programme 2026 is
The General Programme of the Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme 2026 provides financial support to help improve quality equine breeding. The scheme also supports infrastructure in the non-thoroughbred horse sector. Grant aid is available for steps to improve data collection in the genetics and equine breeding area and DNA sampling. The scheme also supports initiatives in the area of breeding, promotion, marketing and studbook development.
How to qualify
This scheme is only available to breed societies approved to maintain equine breeding programmes. All projects must demonstrate their compatibility to the Sport Horse strategy - - Reaching New Heights - to be considered eligible for grant aid.
Applications for funding must be made on the application form below accompanied by the requested supporting documentation. You must comply with the terms of the scheme.
Rates of payment
Aid is granted to cover eligible costs on the following basis:
| Measure | Aid levels |
| Genetic Indexing | 70% |
| DNA testing to verify pedigree | up to 70% |
| Studbook Establishment and Development | up to 100% |
| Marketing and Promotion | up to 100% |
| Performance Testing | up to 70% |
| Education and Training | up to 100% |
On approval, projects are notified about the maximum grant payable to the organisation for the specific project in the year concerned.
Apply
All 2026 applications should arrive no later than 5pm Friday, 12 December 2025 to:
Livestock Breeding Production & Trade Division
Training and Education
What the Equine Breeding Training and Support Scheme 2026 is
The training and education programme of the Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme 2026 provides financial support for projects in the non-thoroughbred sector.
Support is provided for seminars, conferences and training.
How to qualify
Projects providing knowledge transfer and information must be carried out by qualified people who have sufficient technical capacity to implement the proposed project. All projects must demonstrate their compatibility to the Sport Horse strategy - Reaching New Heights - to be considered eligible for grant aid.
Applications for funding must be made on the application form below accompanied by the requested supporting documentation. You must comply with the terms of the scheme.
Rates of payment
Aid is granted to cover up to 100% of eligible costs for education and training. On approval, projects are notified about the maximum grant payable to the organisation for the specific project in the year concerned. Projects can later be amended subject to department approval but it must remain within the maximum limit granted.
Apply
All 2026 applications should arrive no later than 5pm Friday, 12 December 2025 to:
Livestock Breeding Production & Trade Division
Equine Diseases Research
These are the terms and conditions for funding under the Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme 2026: Funding of Research into Equine Diseases.
Grant aid is aimed at supporting improvements in quality equine production focusing on research into equine diseases in the thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred horse sectors.
Apply
All 2026 applications should arrive no later than 5pm Friday, 12 December 2025 to:
