Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program FY 2026

The Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Marketing Service. This federal funding opportunity is designed to strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products across the United States. The program is rooted in statutory authority under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 and reflects a national effort to improve infrastructure, business development, and long-term sustainability within the sheep industry. The agency intends to award funding competitively to one or more national entities that can administer a subaward program supporting a wide range of sheep industry projects. The primary purpose of the program is to address systemic challenges facing sheep producers by investing in solutions that improve production capacity, expand marketing opportunities, and encourage innovation. Projects supported under this program may include efforts to develop new production techniques, expand market access, provide technical assistance and training, strengthen supply chains, and enhance animal health and risk management. The program is structured to deliver measurable benefits to producers nationwide and encourages collaboration across industry stakeholders to avoid duplication and maximize impact. Funding is provided through a grant agreement to selected national entities, which are responsible for managing a competitive subaward program. These recipients must demonstrate the capacity to solicit applications, evaluate proposals, distribute funds, and oversee subrecipient performance. At least 80 percent of the awarded funds must be distributed as subawards to eligible entities, with individual subawards ranging from 25000 to 150000 dollars and lasting up to 24 months. Recipients may also conduct limited direct programming using a portion of funds, subject to approval and cost share requirements. Administrative costs for managing the program are capped at 20 percent of the total award. The total available funding for this opportunity is approximately 2400000 dollars, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of 1000000 dollars to a maximum of 2400000 dollars. The period of performance for the primary award is 36 months, beginning around late September 2026 and ending in late September 2029. While there is no cost share requirement for the primary applicant’s administrative activities, subrecipients must provide a 25 percent cost share, which may be in the form of cash or in kind contributions. Eligibility is limited to domestic national entities located within the United States or its territories, including nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, government entities, and business entities. Applicants must demonstrate strong engagement with the sheep industry and the ability to manage a large-scale grant program with subawards. The program explicitly excludes direct applications from entities seeking subawards; instead, those opportunities will be made available later by the selected primary recipient. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by October 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include the SF-424 application form, a detailed project narrative using the prescribed template, a budget form, and letters of commitment from partners if applicable. Applicants must also maintain active registrations in SAM.gov and possess a Unique Entity Identifier. Applications are reviewed through a multi-stage process including initial screening, technical peer review based on alignment, merit, and fiscal accountability, and a final administrative review assessing risk and compliance. Program contacts are available via email at IPPGrants@usda.gov, and technical assistance is provided throughout the application process. Awards are expected to be announced following the review process, with successful applicants receiving formal notification and grant agreements. Recipients are required to submit annual and final performance reports, adhere to federal regulations, and ensure proper acknowledgment of USDA support. The program is expected to recur annually or periodically, reflecting ongoing federal investment in strengthening the sheep industry nationwide.

Ensure strong alignment with program goals demonstrate capacity to manage subawards provide detailed workplan and budget justification and clearly define measurable outcomes