Michigan Craft Beverage Council Research Grant

The FY26 Michigan Craft Beverage Council Research Grant, administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), is a competitive funding opportunity that supports applied research benefiting Michigan’s craft beverage industry. The grant encourages proposals that demonstrate clear alignment with the Council’s stated research priorities and that engage with industry members, producers, and growers across the state. By fostering evidence-based practices and advancing understanding in areas critical to production and innovation, the Council aims to support a resilient and competitive craft beverage sector in Michigan. Research projects must be grounded in a clearly articulated problem statement and must include a literature review, specific objectives or hypotheses, and detailed research methodology. Applications should outline the project's context within the broader field and reference any ongoing or past work supported by other funders. Proposed projects must show direct benefit to the craft beverage industry in Michigan and must measure their impacts accordingly. Applicants are also required to explain how industry members, such as growers or producers, will be involved and supported through the research process. The grant provides up to $40,000 in funding per project for activities taking place from January 2026 through August 2027. Matching funds are encouraged and proposals that include matching financial or in-kind support may receive stronger consideration during the evaluation process. Unallowable costs include tuition, administrative overhead, and general operating costs. Funding is disbursed on a reimbursement basis and all costs must be supported by documentation, including invoices and proof of payment. Equipment and analytical services are allowable if justified and properly documented. The submission deadline is November 10, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., and proposals must be emailed to MDARD-CraftBev@michigan.gov. Applicants must use the official template, including sections on objectives, methods, impacts, and a complete budget. Optional letters of support from industry stakeholders are encouraged and can strengthen an application’s competitiveness. Projects may fall into any craft beverage category—beer, wine, spirits, or hard cider—and may be new or continuations of prior efforts. Grantees are subject to performance reporting requirements. An interim report is due to the grant administrator by October 5, 2026, covering project activities through September 30, 2026. The final report is due by August 15, 2027, and must include a detailed technical summary of results, literature review, outreach activities, and documented impacts on the industry. The final report must also list communications and dissemination efforts, including presentations and publications where results were shared. This grant program reflects the Michigan Craft Beverage Council’s commitment to fostering innovation through academic and applied research. Successful applicants are expected to address current challenges or opportunities in the industry and to demonstrate how their findings can translate into real-world benefits for Michigan-based producers. Collaborative projects and those aligned with Council priorities are especially encouraged.