The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center offers grants and contracts for dairy farmers, processors, and service providers. Below is their yearly funding calendar!
Dairy Processor Modernization Grant
Application period: open, apply by December 17!
Summary: Grants to fund purchases of specialized equipment and other approaches to modernizing existing dairy processing facilities.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Processors, TA Providers
Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: This grant will fund a wide range of projects that prioritize long term dairy farm viability and climate/economic resilience.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Farmers, Producer Associations, Technical Assistance Providers
Goat & Sheep Dairy Development Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: Grants to improve the regional conditions for goat and/or sheep dairy products or markets.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Farmers, Dairy Processors, Producer Associations, Technical Assistance Providers
Dairy Product Trade Show Assistance Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: A rolling application for grants to support value-added dairy processors in participating in business-to-business trade shows.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Processors, Dairy Producer Associations
Innovation in Dairy Processor and Packaging Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: Grants to provide long-term investments that increase dairy processors’ environmental and economic sustainability.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Processors, Manufacturers, Producer Associations, Supply Chain Businesses, Research Institutions, TA Providers
On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: Grants to provide dairy farmers with funds that support the purchase and supplies to improve milk storage, handling and energy efficiencies.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Farmers
New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: Grants to support the start-up of new dairy processing capabilities for existing farmers or experienced dairy processors. Engagement with technical assistance ahead of an application is strongly encouraged.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Farmers, New/Existing Dairy Processors
On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: Grants to provide dairy farmers with funds to purchase equipment and related costs to improve milk storage, handling, and energy efficiencies.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Farmers
Dairy Co-packing Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: Grants to support the development of new co-packing capabilities and relationships for existing dairy processors.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Processors
Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: Grants to support food safety projects including specialized equipment purchase, supplies, food safety training, and certifications.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Farmers and Dairy Processors
Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: Grants to support food safety projects including food safety training, audits and certifications, specialized equipment purchase, and supplies.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Farmers, Dairy Processors, and/or Producer Associations
Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant
Application period: closed
Application period: May 2026
Summary: Grants for dairy processors to access professional marketing and branding services.
Eligible applicants: Dairy Processors, Dairy Producer Associations
Catalyzing Regional Dairy Workforce Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: This grant will support the development, expansion, and operations of existing and shovel-ready workforce programs that focus on existing and potential employees of dairy farms and dairy processors.
Eligible applicants: Institutions of higher education; Producer/trade associations; non-profits; Manufacturing training entities; Dairy Processors
Organic Dairy Product Promotion Grant
Application period: closed
Summary: This unique opportunity is part of a national initiative to increase the consumption of organic dairy among children and young adults while supporting partnerships with, and networks of, small and mid-sized organic dairy producers. Funded projects will address one of the following areas: Expansion of current organic dairy procurement: Existing sourcing of organic dairy products will be supplemented with additional Northeast organic dairy products; Addition of organic dairy products: Institutions that do not currently serve organic dairy products will begin to source and serve Northeast organic dairy
Eligible applicants:
Licensed dairy processors that:
- Transform raw fluid milk, dairy components, or dairy mix into an edible product meant for human consumption.
- Hold a license that permits the sale of their dairy products across state lines, even if they are not currently doing interstate sales.
- Have processing facilities in the Northeast.
- Source or produces milk or dairy components from within the Northeast.
- Manufacture products within the Northeast.
Distributor whose primary function is to move food and/or beverages from producers or processors to wholesale and/or institutional buyers. Food hubs that provide distribution services are eligible under this category. Distributors must currently be serving the Northeast region.
Youth Institution: Includes K-12 schools, supervisory unions, colleges, universities, afterschool programs, and summer feeding programs that are currently eligible to participate in federal child nutrition programs, including those listed on this USDA School Meals page.
