How to Apply
Here you can learn how to apply for each of the DAERA Area-based Schemes. There is also information on employing an Agent to make your application.
Apply for the Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (FSTP)
To apply for FSTP you must submit a ‘Single Application’ and select the option to claim FSTP. Single Applications must be submitted online via DAERA Online Services.
You must read our 2025 Guide to Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (FSTP) for full instructions on how to correctly apply for this scheme.
Apply for the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS)
To apply for EFS you must submit an ‘Environmental Farming Scheme Application’ online via DAERA Online Services You must read our Guide to the Environmental Farming Scheme for Agreements commencing 01 Jan 2025 for detailed instructions on how to correctly apply for this scheme.
Once your application for EFS has been successfully completed you will be offered an EFS agreement. Your agreement will be for five years, usually starting on 1 January of the year following your application, and you will be eligible to claim EFS payment in each of those years.
To claim EFS payment each year, you must submit a ‘Single Application’ and select the option to claim EFS. Single Applications must be submitted online via DAERA Online Services.
Apply for the Protein Crops Scheme (PCS)
To apply for PCS you must submit a Single Application and select the option to claim PCS. Single Applications must be submitted online via DAERA Online Services. You must read our 2025 Guide to Farm Sustainability Transition Payment (inc. Protein Crops Scheme) for full instructions on how to correctly apply for this scheme.
Apply for the Young Farmers' Payment (YFP)
2025 is the final year to apply for Young Farmers’ Payment and for Young Farmers/New Entrant applications to the Regional Reserve.
To apply for the YFP you must submit a Young Farmers' Payment / Regional Reserve Form 2025. You must ALSO submit a Single Application and select the option to claim YFP. If your YFP/RR Form is accepted, you will be eligible to claim YFP payment for five years. To claim YFP payment each year, you must submit a ‘Single Application’ and select the option to claim YFP. You must read our Guide to Young Farmers' Payment / Regional Reserve 2025 for full instructions on how to correctly apply for this scheme.
To access DAERA Online Services and to apply for any Area-based Scheme, you will need to:
1. Register your business with us; and
2. Register for either an ‘nidirect’ or ‘Government Gateway’ account.
Please see ‘Registering for Government Gateway (GG) and NIDA accounts for more information.
Employing an Agent/Nominated Person to Submit Applications on your behalf.
If you do not wish to submit an application yourself you can nominate another person to do so on your behalf. To view details on your business you must register for an online DAERA account with either NIDA or Government Gateway so you can continue to receive your communications from DAERA. Even if you use an Agent to submit your applications it is important that at least one member of your business is a registered online user so that your business can receive notifications of a new DAERA message.
SUCKLER COW SCHEME - Authorisation will automatically be given to any Agents who are already acting on behalf of farm businesses for FSTP to Opt In, for this year only
To nominate another person to submit a Single Application (including any claims for payment made on the Single Application AND applications to transfer payment entitlements), please complete and submit this Form
To nominate another person to submit ONLY applications to transfer payment entitlements, please complete and submit this Form
To nominate another person to submit an EFS application (EFS Agreement), please complete and submit this Form
To nominate another person to complete and submit an EFS Higher Site-Specific Management Plan (EFS Planner), please complete and submit this Form
How-To Videos
Please note that these are the up-to-date videos for 2025.
- How to Navigate the Map Viewer
- How to Add and Remove Fields from a Claim
- How to Create a Field
- How to Change a Field Boundary by Adding Land
- How to Change a Field Boundary by Removing Land
- How to Change the Boundary Between Fields using the Add Land Option
- How to Change the Boundary Between Fields using the Remove Land Option
- How to Split a Field
- How to Merge Fields
- How to Remove and Reinstate a Field for Agricultural Use
- How to Add a New Ineligible Feature
- How to Change an Ineligible Feature Boundary by Removing Land
- How to Change an Ineligible Feature Boundary by Adding Land
- How to Remove an Ineligible Feature
- How to Change a Feature Type
- How to Add and Edit Field Usage Code