New National Forest - Oxford-Cambridge Corridor - Competition

This competition will create a new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor. The government wants a delivery partner to lead this project. You can get between £1 million and £7.4 million to establish the forest. The forest will provide economic, environmental and social benefits for local communities. It will show how nature and development can work together. Applications close on 20 May 2026. You must be an organisation outside central government to apply.

This is for organisations that can act as delivery partners for large environmental projects. You must be outside central government or its arm's length bodies. You need experience managing major forestry or environmental programmes.

This competition is the first of two that will deliver the remaining new national forests in England. It will establish a forest in the Oxford–Cambridge Corridor. The OxCam Corridor has been selected because it is already recognised by government as an area of strategic importance, earmarked for significant growth and development. This NNF will showcase how enhancing the natural environment can go hand-in-hand with economic development delivering benefits for communities within the corridor. This forest will be transformative, providing significant economic, environmental, and social benefits. Defra is now inviting organisations outside of central government or its ALB to submit a proposal to act as a Delivery Partner.