# Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program - Phase 4

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rd-rbs-26-04-meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program-phase-4/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362298

> Rural Business-Cooperative Service offered grants of up to $2.0 million (at least $10,000) to nonprofits, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make $60.0 million in total. Applications closed on August 7, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | RD-RBS-26-04 |
| Agency | Rural Business-Cooperative Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | August 7, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $2.0 million |
| Award floor | $10,000 |
| Expected awards | not stated |
| Total funding | $60.0 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.381 |

## Who can apply

- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses

Producer-owned cooperatives Tribes Tribal Entities

## What the grant funds

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development (RD) Rural Business‐Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), requests applications for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program - Phase 4 (the Program or MPPEP-4) - Fortifying the American Beef Industry. MPPEP-4 is authorized under Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which provides funding to make “loans and grants and provide other assistance to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency.” Pursuant to this authority, USDA is making competitive grant funding available to Very Small Processors and Small Processors, and to Intermediate Processors to maximize the value and utilization of their existing capacity, with a focus on promoting local supply chains. Grant funding in the amount of $60 million is available under this Program. Funding will be divided equally into two separate competitions: one for Very Small Processors and Small Processors, and one for Intermediate Processors. Each competition will have its own ranking and award process. Cost share is required. Applicants will be required to identify sources and amounts that will make up the required cost share in the application and will need to verify cost share funding prior to final award approval. Two types of applications for each of the funding competitions will be accepted: 1. Processing Expansion Projects. Awards will range from $50,000 to $2 million to support a range of activities to increase and diversify processing capacity of American Meat and Poultry, including Equipment-only purchases over $250,000, and necessary improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits to an existing Facility needed to install the Equipment. A match requirement of 50 percent of the Project Cost is required for Processing Expansion Projects. 2. Simplified Equipment-Only Projects. Awards will range from $10,000 to $250,000 for projects that only request the cost of Equipment and do not include renovation, labor, installation, or certification costs. A match requirement of 25 percent of the Project Cost is required for Simplified Equipment-Only Projects. Eligible applicants for MPPEP-4 include entities that are currently engaged in the Primary Processing of cattle for commercial markets or toll process and have been in business for at least one year. Eligible applicants include For‐Profit Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, Producer-owned cooperatives, Tribes, and Tribal Entities.

## Questions people ask

### Is RD-RBS-26-04 still open?

No. It closed on August 7, 2026. A newer notice is open: RD-RBS-26-03-MPPEP, closes December 7, 2026 (30 days left).

### Who can apply for Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program - Phase 4?

Rural Business-Cooperative Service accepted applications from nonprofits, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program - Phase 4?

Closed August 7, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $2.0 million each. About $60.0 million in total.

### Who has won Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were New Hampshire Community Loan Fund Inc, Wholestone Farms II LLC, Riverbend Meats, LLC. The program made 26 awards worth $234 million in that time.