The RAU Innovation Academy is a new, integrated platform that brings together education, applied research, enterprise, and policy to drive innovation in the rural economy.

It sits at the heart of the proposed Innovation Village, and will connect students, researchers, businesses, and communities to tackle key challenges in land use, food systems, and sustainability.

The Innovation Academy focuses on developing practical skills, supporting career pathways from further to higher education, and delivering real-world learning through our demonstration farm network and “living labs”.

It also aims to strengthen collaboration across rural and urban communities, support new business and technology innovation, and influence land use policy at national and global levels.

Defra, through the Land Use Framework presented to parliament in March 2026, have pledged their support for the knowledge and skills needed for the land use transition. They have commited to support the launch of a new Innovation Academy at the new Royal Agricultural University Innovation Village. This will build skills and expertise in multi-functional land management to improve resilience in food production and expand on-farm innovation to deliver social and environmental benefits and a thriving rural economy. Read Defra's report here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/land-use-framework.

The Innovation Academy builds on our existing strengths and initiatives that already combine education, research, and industry collaboration. These include:

  • Bridging Fields: working effectively with farmers programme (Rothschild Foundation funded)
    A flagship example of on-farm innovation, bringing researchers and farmers together to design and run practical field trials.
  • Farm491 (agri-tech innovation space)
    RAU’s established platform for supporting agri-tech startups and entrepreneurs, helping develop new technologies for the land-based sector.
  • RAU Farms and Land Laboratories
    Working farms used for teaching, research, and demonstration, enabling real-world testing of regenerative and sustainable practices.
  • Cultural Heritage Institute
    A developing initiative linking heritage, land use, and rural enterprise, with opportunities for skills development and public engagement.
  • Regenerative farming initiatives focused on advancing regenerative agriculture through education, trials, and demonstration networks.
  • CPD and short course provision to support upskilling in areas like land management, sustainability, and rural business.
  • Industry partnerships and rural business networks
    RAU’s strong links with landowners, estates, and rural enterprises, which support placements, applied research, and knowledge exchange.

Our goal is to be the national centre for regenerative land use and rural innovation.