Current Funding Opportunities
July
USDA NIFA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program | Deadline: July 16th
Goals: Supports community-driven initiatives aimed at strengthening local food systems and reducing food insecurity. The program provides a one-time infusion of Federal funding to help communities develop self-reliance and long-term solutions to local food needs.
Eligibility Factors: To be eligible for this grant, applicants must be a public food program service provider, a tribal organization, or a private nonprofit entity, including gleaners.
Funding Limitations: Awards range from $125,000 - $400,000. Total funding pool is approximately $4,800,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Awardees notified by September 30, 2026. Grant duration is no longer that 48 months.
USDA NIFA Urban, Indoor and Emerging Agriculture Program | Deadline: July 27th
Goals: This program supports research, education and Extension work by awarding grants to solve key problems of local, regional and national importance that facilitate development of urban, indoor and emerging agricultural systems. The program includes food value chain stages: production, harvesting, transportation, aggregation, packaging, distribution and markets.
Eligibility Factors: Applications may only be submitted by the following entities: State Agricultural Experiment Stations; Colleges and universities; University research foundations; Other research institutions and organizations; Federal agencies; National laboratories; Private organizations, foundations, or corporations; Individuals; or Any group consisting of two or more of the entities described above.
Funding Limitations: Maximum award amount is $500,000. Total funding pool is approximately $4,000,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Awardees notified by September 30, 2026. Grant duration is 24-36 months.
August
New England Food Vision Prize | Deadline: August 7th
Goals: The 2026 New England Food Vision Prize will award up to $1.5 million to collaborative farm to school initiatives and local sourcing efforts across the region. Winning Prizes will increase student access to healthy, locally produced ingredients and build consistent and reliable demand from schools, colleges, and universities.
Eligibility Factors: Primary Applicant
The primary applicant is the lead partner on the Prize and if awarded, will be responsible for managing and distributing funds amongst other partners on the team. The primary applicant is also responsible for providing written and verbal reports to the foundation. Primary applicant must be one of the following:
- K–12 schools, school districts, colleges, universities, and schools with 501(c)(3) public charity status
- 501(c)(3) public charities
- Governmental entities or affiliated organizations that are eligible to receive 501(c)(3) funding
- Federally recognized Tribes
- Indian Tribal governments (IRS, section 7871)
- Organizations applying via a 501(c)(3) public charity fiscal sponsor
Applicant Teams
We encourage collaborative approaches to Prize projects. At least one educational institution (K–12 or higher education) must be identified as both a direct beneficiary and an active partner in the project, and a letter of support from this institution will be required. All applicants and project partners must be based in New England.
Prize applicant teams may include:
- Colleges and universities
- K–12 schools or school districts
- Farms / fishers / producers
- Food hubs and aggregators
- Processors
- Network organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Municipal departments/initiatives
- Additional institutions (ex: healthcare)
- For-profit business (* ineligible to be a primary applicant)
Funding Limitations: $1.5 million total funding available. Prize requests can range from $25,000 – $100,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Application period opens June 30th, 2026; application deadline is August 7th, 2026. Awards will be announced October 2026. Awardees have two years to complete the project.
Dairy Processor Modernization Grant | Deadline for pre-application: August 13th
Goals: The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Processor Modernization Grant program to address the significant need for investment in processing infrastructure in the Northeast. Funds will support dairy processors and dairy brands in modernizing their production to allow for increased processing of regional dairy, long-term business viability, and ability to meet consumer demands. Projects funded through this grant will focus primarily on acquiring specialized equipment for dairy processing that offers benefits such as increased capacity, higher efficiency, reduced energy usage, increased quality, or ability to produce new or higher-value products. Projects that benefit more than one dairy business and those that incorporate technical assistance may be more competitive.
Eligibility Factors: Grants are available to dairy processors and dairy brands working with co-packing processors in all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Applicants will qualify into one of two award tiers based on their processing volume.
Funding Limitations: Program Total: $1,000,000.00, of which: • Approximately $500,000.00 for Tier 1 projects. • Approximately $500,000.00 for Tier 2 projects. Tier 1 Minimum: $75,000.00 Tier 1 Maximum: $250,000.00 Tier 2 Minimum: $15,000.00 Tier 2 Maximum: $150,000.00 Match: A cash and/or in-kind contribution equal to at least 25% of the requested grant award is required for all tiers.
Anticipated Timeline: A subset of applicants will be invited to submit a full application in the fall. The full application period is expected to be September – November 2026.
MDAR Cranberry Enhancement & Renovation Program | Deadline: August 20th
Goals: The Cranberry Renovation & Enhancement Program (CRAN) provides reimbursement funding to help Massachusetts cranberry growers modernize and strengthen their operations. The Program supports two project types:
- Renovation Projects – Complete cranberry bog renovations that improve production, operational efficiency, water management, and long-term viability.
- Enhancement Projects – Targeted investments in equipment, infrastructure, and water management that improve productivity, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
The Program supports durable improvements that strengthen commercial cranberry production while promoting efficient resource use and long-term environmental sustainability.
Eligibility Factors: You may be eligible if you:
- Operate a commercial cranberry operation in Massachusetts, as defined by M.G.L. c. 128, § 1A.
- Own or manage the property where the project will occur for at least three (3) consecutive years.
- Propose a project located on cranberry bogs greater than one (1) acre in active agricultural use.
- Have legal site control for the proposed project.
Funding Limitations: Renovation Projects: Reimbursement funding up to $25,000 per acre, Maximum award of $125,000 Enhancement Projects: Reimbursement of up to 80% of total eligible project costs, Maximum award of $50,000
Applicants may apply for both project types for a combined maximum request of $175,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Estimated Award Date: October 2026. All awarded projects must be fully completed and invoiced by June 30, 2027.
ROLLING APPLICATIONS, NO DEADLINE
Dairy Promotion Grant for Farmers
Goals: This grant program provides funding to eligible individuals and organizations for activities that improve public perception of dairy farming and/or increase consumption of local dairy products.
Eligibility Factors: Eligible applicants include:
- Dairy farmers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont (applicants must be associated with the production of cow’s milk)
- Retired dairy farmers or agriculture advocates, in partnership with an active dairy producer
- Agriculture organizations (FFA, Farm Bureau, 4-H, etc.) within our five state region
Funding Limitations: $2,400 in funding annually is available per farm.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply at least six weeks prior to your event or activity. Applicants will be notified by email of approval or denial, as well as the total funding amount. You can expect a decision within three weeks of submitting your grant application. Approved applicants will receive funding approximately two weeks after we receive your completed grant paperwork, which includes an LOA, W9, and other documents. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025. Grant recipients are required to submit a grant report after completion of the event or activity to remain eligible in the next calendar year.
Goals: The Black Farmers Learn educational subsidy will pay tuition or registration fees of up to $500 for Black farmers or land stewards who wish to expand their knowledge or skills via a self-identified training program. This program honors education from structured sources available to the public; this includes schools, farming institutions, land or agricultural collectives, and conferences or training that offer to deepen skills and increase farming capacity.
Eligibility Factors: This program is available to Black farmers or land stewards who are members of the Northeast Farmers of Color (NEFOC) Network and are pursuing publicly available, structured education programs.
Funding Limitations: This program will pay tuition or registration fees up to $500.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications are accepted the first week of every month.
Goals: The goal of this award is to support farmers' self-care needs. Examples include dinner with friends and family, deep tissue massage, gym or yoga membership, therapy sessions, family fun day and more.
Eligibility Factors: Farmers and ranchers operating in the contiguous United States, including all U.S. territories, have an annual farming income of $1,000 or more, and have never received a Real Farmer Care self-care award before.
Funding Limitations: Awards are $100 per applicant. Grants will be distributed via Visa/Mastercard e-gift cards.
Anticipated Timeline: Applications will be accepted and reviewed in the order in which they are received. Funds will be awarded when available and award distribution will occur in seasonal rounds. Applications submitted after the initial window or beyond fund availability will be considered for funding in future rounds.
Black Farmer Fund Rapid Response Fund
Goals: The goal of this award is to provide financial support to Black Farmers and Food Business Owners experiencing a one-time emergency.
Eligibility Factors: Black Farmers and Food Business Owners operating in the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Rhode Island). The business must be in operation for at least one year. The business has demonstrated engagement, work and support with community members.
Funding Limitations: Up to $10,000 awards granted for general emergencies. For 2025 Funding Freeze/Cancellation emergency award maximum is $50,000.
Anticipated Timeline: Four rounds of funding available per year. See website for timeline.
