By Ali Boochever, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
At the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), our goal is to help dairy farms and processors innovate to become more sustainable and resilient. Whether you’re looking for funding to purchase specialized equipment, to implement an innovative practice, or to receive technical assistance, consider applying for an NE-DBIC grant. Access full details and Requests for Applications online at nedairyinnovation.com/grants
Open Funding Opportunities:
Goat & Sheep Dairy Supply Chain Development Grant
This grant program will provide funds to strengthen and support the growth of the Northeast goat and sheep dairy sector through projects that address one of the following business viability, market development, or innovative approaches to production.
This program will fund two types of projects:
- Individual Business Projects are for farmers or processors making necessary improvements to increase business viability, market development, or innovations in production.
- Sector Enhancement Projects must directly engage multiple dairy businesses in activities which improve or expand small ruminant production practices or dairy markets. Projects should strengthen relationships across the goat/sheep dairy supply chain such as farmer-to-farmer, farmer-processor, or processor-customer relationships.
The deadline for grant applications is June 6, 2024, at 2 PM ET. Awards will range from $15,000 to $50,000 for Individual Business Grants and $25,000 to $75,000 for Sector Enhancement Grants with a 25% match commitment. Approximately $760,000 total funds are available this round.
Dairy Trade Show Assistance Grant
This grant provides funds for dairy processors and/or producer associations to exhibit and sell value-added dairy products at domestic and/or international trade shows. Grant funds will cover costs including registration, travel, product samples, production and distribution of sell-sheets and other marketing materials, professional branding and design services, trade show booth set-up, and more.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until June 25, 2024. Awards will range from $5,000 to $20,000 with a 25% match commitment. Approximately $125,000 total funds are available this round.
Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant
This grant will provide funds for established value-added dairy processors and producer associations to access professional marketing and branding services to elevate their value-added dairy businesses. Up to 25% of the grant funds can be used to implement the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor.
The deadline for applications is June 13, 2024, at 2 PM ET. Awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000 with a 25 % match commitment. Approximately $300,000 total funds are available this round.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities:
New Dairy Processor Start-Up Grant
Starting in June, the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center will roll out several competitive grant programs that will target areas for growth and modernization for dairy processors that include innovation in dairy production and packaging; processing equipment modernization; new dairy processor start-up ventures; and development of co-packing partnerships. Find out more about these upcoming funding opportunities on our full funding calendar on our website at: nedairyinnovation.com/grants
Find our full funding calendar on our website at nedairyinnovation.com/grants