USDA Announces $12.65 Million Available to Support Dairy Business Innovation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced approximately $12.65 million in funding is available through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI). The funding will support regional initiatives that provide technical assistance and subawards to dairy businesses working to develop, produce, market, and distribute dairy products. These initiatives support agricultural businesses that help rural economies thrive and bolster the dairy supply chain, so all Americans have access to quality domestic dairy products.

The FY26 funding opportunity is open to the four existing DBI initiatives: the California State University Fresno Foundation, the University of Tennessee, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the University of Wisconsin. These initiatives support dairy businesses through regional technical assistance, market development, product innovation, processing and packaging support, and subawards. USDA strongly encourages DBI Initiatives to prioritize subaward funding for equipment and infrastructure in their proposals for these funds. Equipment and infrastructure investments are critical to strengthening the dairy industry and overall dairy businesses capacity and DBI is currently uniquely positioned to offer such targeted funding opportunities.

Application Information

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available on the AMS DBI Webpage. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Dec. 1, 2026. Additional information, application resources, and information about previously funded projects, are also available on the AMS DBI webpage. For program questions, contact [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.