Dairy Business Builder Grants

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) Dairy Business Builder Grant is a regional funding initiative supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service and administered through partners including the Center for Dairy Research and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. The program is designed to strengthen and expand the dairy industry across an eleven state Midwestern region by supporting innovation, diversification, and market development within dairy businesses. It provides reimbursement based grants intended to help dairy farms and dairy processors enhance competitiveness and create value added products. The primary purpose of the grant is to support projects that improve profitability, productivity, and sustainability of dairy related businesses. Eligible activities include diversification of dairy farms into new product lines, development and marketing of value added dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and beverages, and innovative uses of dairy byproducts. The program also supports initiatives that expand export opportunities or enhance the value of existing dairy commodities. All funded projects must align with at least one of these strategic goals and demonstrate clear commercial potential. Funding is offered as a reimbursement model, meaning recipients must first incur eligible expenses and then submit documentation such as invoices or canceled checks to receive payment. Awards can reach up to 150000 for large equipment projects and up to 100000 for other eligible projects. Reimbursement requests must be submitted within twelve months of the award date, and funds cannot be used retroactively for expenses incurred prior to the award. Additional compliance requirements include completion of six month and twelve month program surveys and adherence to federal and state regulations, including food safety standards. Eligibility is limited to for profit dairy farms and dairy processing or manufacturing businesses located in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Applicants must have a valid Employer Identification Number and be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service. Additional restrictions apply, including prohibitions on applicants with close family ties to administering organizations and limitations on prior awardees who have not sufficiently progressed on earlier grants. Projects involving fluid milk must meet Grade A standards, and all applicants must comply with applicable regulatory requirements. The application process requires submission of detailed business and project information, including a project summary, work plan and timeline, budget and budget justification, business plan, and vendor quotes. Applicants must also provide food safety plan information as part of the submission. Applications are reviewed by a multi state committee, and each submission is scored on a one hundred point scale based on organization, feasibility, alignment with program goals, quality of business planning, financial realism, and expected outcomes such as job creation or market expansion. For the Fall 2026 cycle, applications open on August 3, 2026 and close on September 30, 2026. Award notifications are expected in November 2026. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, with future rounds anticipated in subsequent years. Applicants can access application materials and submit proposals through the program’s online portal, and assistance is available through the DBIA Program Coordinator. Questions and support requests can be directed via email or phone to the program office.

Ensure detailed project plan, realistic budget supported by quotes, and clear alignment with DBIA goals; demonstrate ability to execute and include financial commitment