Dairy Innovation Grants
Katie Spring
We're reaching out with good news regarding Dairy Business Innovation funding. After a funding freeze affected the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, the USDA reviewed the NE-DBIC and three other DBI’s. On Friday, March 7, we received notice from the USDA that our funds are restored and no changes to our program are necessary.
With this news, we wanted to send a reminder about two open grants:
This grant is designed to support licensed dairy processors and brands in the Northeast that are involved in or planning to engage in co-packing arrangements. It assists processors aiming to start new co-packing ventures or expand existing ones by scaling production, diversifying product lines, or forming new partnerships. Dairy brands currently using or planning to use co-packing services can also apply, provided their projects focus on scaling or initiating production through co-packing.
Grant funds may be used for purchasing specialized equipment, hiring marketing and branding services, enhancing food safety, and covering contract fees for new co-packing relationships. Routine operational expenses are not covered.
Awards will range from $15,000 to $150,000, requiring a 25% in-kind or cash match. Approximately $1,100,000 is available this round. Applications are open until April 3, 2025, at 2pm ET.
Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant
This grant will provide funds for dairy farmers, processors, dairy brands, and/or producer associations to take actionable steps to improve the safety of dairy products and improve dairy farm biosecurity. This grant will provide funds for dairy farmers, processors, dairy brands, and/or producer associations to take actionable steps to improve the safety of dairy products and improve dairy farm biosecurity.
Projects funded through this program will support increased production safety standards with the goal of accessing new markets. Applicants must already be meeting requirements for their current markets. Activities covered by this grant include addressing biosecurity or food safety, accessing technical assistance, audits, food safety plan development, training, testing fees, and certain infrastructure upgrades.
Awards will range from $10,000 – $75,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match contribution. Approximately $525,000 in total funds are available this round. Applications are open until April 24, 2025 at 2pm ET.
Learn more about NE-DBIC grants on our website: https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/