All grant applications received by ISDA must be submitted utilizing the online grants management portal. If you have questions about the portal or need assistance to create an account, please submit a request here.
All applications for ISDA grants must be accompanied by a W-9 and Direct Deposit Authorization form:
- Open and Upcoming Programs
Specialty Crop Block Grant
Status: OPEN - Grant closes on March 10, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. ET
Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is seeking project proposals from the specialty crop industry in the state to present for funding from the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA). Proposals must enhance specialty crops throughout the state of Indiana. This solicitation is funded through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
ISDA SCBGP Application Resources:
USDA-AMS SCBGP Resources: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp
- Definition of a Specialty Crop
- Grant Performance Measures website
- General Terms and Conditions (2021 - Present) (pdf)
- Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Overview (Video)
For guidance on the grant program, please reference the following documents or contact Sherdexia Yarde at SYarde@isda.in.gov or 317.695.8132
- Inactive Programs
Clean Water Indiana Grants
Status: Closed (Applications are no longer being accepted.)
The Clean Water Indiana (CWI) Program was established to provide financial assistance to landowners and conservation groups. The financial assistance supports the implementation of conservation practices which will reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution through education, technical assistance, training, and cost sharing programs. The CWI fund is administered by the Division of Soil Conservation under the direction of the State Soil Conservation Board. Learn more.
Indiana Grown Food Council Development Grant Program
Status: Closed
By providing funds to established food councils, Indiana Grown can assist these regional food systems with goals they would not have otherwise obtained. Applicants must demonstrate how the award will enhance the value of agriculture in their region as well as grow the market opportunities of the farmers and producers they serve.
Applications should also indicate how the proposed project aligns with the three major goals of Indiana Grown:
- Helping Indiana farmers and producers have a greater market for their products.
- Supporting Indiana processors in their effort to process more Indiana Grown products.
- Educating consumers on the importance of buying Indiana Grown products.
Awards will go to the applications that are approved at a max award amount of $25,000 with $100,000 of total grant funds available.
- Click here for full program guidance
- Click here for the Food Council Development Program resource guide.
Indiana Meat Processing Expansion & Development Grant Program
Status: Closed
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has been awarded $4 million in federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funding for the Indiana Meat Processing Expansion and Development Grant Program. This funding opportunity was created to offset the impact of COVID 19 on local and small meat-processing agribusinesses.
Projects should aim to improve food supply resilience through increasing slaughter, expanding meat processing capacity and/or promoting worker safety. The program as administered will reimburse up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum award of $150,000. Following federal guidance, grants would only reimburse eligible costs incurred from March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020.
This funding opportunity is available for existing businesses with fewer than 500 employees and at least one federal or BOAH-regulated livestock processing or slaughter facility located in Indiana. Grantees must demonstrate how they were negatively impacted by COVID 19 and how they will use this funding.
- Click here to view the list of awardees
- Click here for the full program guidance
- Click here for the Indiana Meat Processing Expansion & Development Grant Program Quick Start Guide
Grant applicant data (last updated 10.22.20 - application window has closed)
Applications submitted 60 Total amount requested $6,810,732 Projects Funded 41 Total Amount Funded $4,000,000 For more information about funded projects, please see the press release and the grants summary.
Specialty Crop Multi-state Grant Program
Status: Closed (Applications are no longer being accepted at this time)
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-SCMP-G-19-0005
CFDA: 10.170 -- Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - Farm BillFunded by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program works to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by funding collaborative, multi-state projects that address the following regional or national level specialty crop issues: food safety, plant pests and disease, research, crop-specific projects addressing common issues, plant pests, and marketing and promotion.
Projects must be completed within 3 years, and to ensure collaboration, must include at least two partners, located in different states, with substantive involvement in the project. Awards will be a minimum of $250,000 to a maximum of $1,000,000.
ISDA will post the Request for Application announcement in the coming weeks. For guidance on the grant program, please reference the following documents or contact Andrew Carty at AnCarty@isda.IN.gov or 317-232-8831 or Leah Harmon at lharmon2@isda.in.gov or 317.607.4127.
Dairy Business Builder Grants
Status: Closed
This grant program, formerly known as the small grant program, is targeted at small-to-medium size farmers or processors. Projects should be aimed at diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy by-products or export programs. Awards of up to $100,000 in reimbursable grants will be made.
The Fall 2022 application is open, with the deadline on November 10, 2022 at 6pm Eastern Standard Time. Applicants will be notified by December 15th, 2022.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the grant program.
For guidance on the grant, contact David Coates at DCoates@isda.in.gov or 317-232-8831.
- Non-ISDA Programs
Federal Grants and Foundation Funding Agriculture
Grant Information
Any organization that wishes to apply for a federal grant must have certain information ready for the registration process. You first need to check with your Grant Administrator or Chief Financial Officer since your organization may already have a System for Award Management (SAM) Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered with SAM.gov. The SAM UEI is a unique identifier for your organization required by the federal government to track how federal grant money is distributed. If your organization does not already have a SAM UEI you can apply for one free of charge. Learn more
Grants.gov
Grants.gov is a federal website that allows eligible grant seekers to find and apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL federal agencies. The website guides grant seekers in obtaining a DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number and registering at Grants.gov to apply and to track applications. Grant seekers can view all eligibility requirements on suggested funding opportunities and related documents by searching the CFDA number in on the website.
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is the primary registrant database for the federal government. Any organization seeking federal grants on Grants.gov is required to register. Learn more
To ensure the electronic submission of your grant applications is secure, you will need to complete an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) profile and create a username and password. To complete an AOR profile and create a username and password click here.
Miscellaneous Grants
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog (CFDA), issued annually and updated continuously on the Web, describes some 1600 federal grants and non financial assistance programs. Grant seekers can identify programs that might support their projects and can learn the program's objectives, requirements, application procedures and contacts. Learn more
Community Foundations in the State of Indiana
Find community foundations in your area using an interactive map. Learn more
The Foundation Center
Gateway to information about private funding sources, the grant seeking process, guidelines on writing a grant proposal, addresses of state libraries with grants reference collections, and links to other useful Internet websites. The Center maintains a comprehensive database on foundations; produces print and electronic directories and guides; conducts research and publishes studies in the field; and offers a variety of training and educational seminars. Learn more