The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center offers grants and contracts for dairy farmers, processors, and service providers. Below is their yearly funding calendar!
Organic Dairy Product Promotion Grant
Application period: Apply by July 31!
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.
Dairy Processor Modernization Grant
Application period: Apply by August 14!
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: Fall 2025
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
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
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
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
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
