USDA-AMS-TM-DBII-G-21-0009: Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives Competitive Application
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives Program (DBI) Fiscal Year 2026 (USDA-AMS-TM-DBI-G-26-0011). Status: Closes January 4, 2027 (58 days left). It is in our archive of Agricultural Marketing Service notices from 2021.
Agricultural Marketing Service offered grants of up to $1.8 million to nonprofits, colleges and universities and state and local governments. It expected to make about 3 awards worth $1.8 million in total. Applications closed on August 30, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed July 1, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$1.8 million
- Total funding$1.8 million
- Expected awards3
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | June 29, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | August 30, 2021 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | September 26, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities and state and local governments.
- State governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Eligible entities include: State departments of agriculture or other state entities, Cooperative extension services, Institutions of higher education, and Nonprofit organizations
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives awards averaged $8.1 million; this notice allows up to $1.8 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (70% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
DBI initiatives manage regional efforts to support dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products. These initiatives specifically focus on:Diversifying dairy product markets to reduce risk and develop higher-value uses for dairy products;Promoting business development that diversifies farmer income through processing and marketing innovation; andEncouraging the use of regional milk production. Initiatives are expected to provide direct technical assistance and make sub-grants to dairy businesses.
Who has won Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (10.176) awarded $187 million across 23 grant awards, an average of $8.1 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tennessee | Tennessee | 6 | $55.9 million |
| University of Wisconsin System | Wisconsin | 6 | $55.8 million |
| Vermont Agency of Agriculture | Vermont | 5 | $49.7 million |
| California State University, Fresno Foundation | California | 5 | $25.1 million |
| United States of America National C | Wisconsin | 1 | $265,000 |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, USDA-AMS-TM-DBI-G-26-0011, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is USDA-AMS-TM-DBII-G-21-0009 still open?
No. It closed on August 30, 2021. A newer notice is open: USDA-AMS-TM-DBI-G-26-0011, closes January 4, 2027 (58 days left).
Who can apply for Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives Competitive Application?
Agricultural Marketing Service accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities and state and local governments. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives Competitive Application?
Closed August 30, 2021. 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 $1.8 million each. About $1.8 million in total across about 3 awards.
Who has won Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were University of Tennessee, University of Wisconsin System, Vermont Agency of Agriculture. The program made 23 awards worth $187 million in that time.
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