07/24/2026
Grant URL: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program-phase-4
MARBIDCO has loan programs available that may provide a source of required matching funds. Please visit www.marbidco.org for information.
Please read on for a synopsis of the grant overview, deadline, and application checklist.
• Total funding: Approximately $60 million available nationwide.
• Funding is split into two competitions:
o Very Small & Small Processors
o Intermediate Processors
• Application deadline: August 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
• Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Late applications will not be accepted
1. Processing Expansion Projects
• Award size: $50,000–$2,000,000
• Required match: 50% of total project cost
• Supports:
o Expansion of processing capacity
o Large equipment purchases (over $250,000)
o Facility renovations or retrofits needed to install equipment
o Processing infrastructure improvements
2. Simplified Equipment-Only Projects
• Award size: $10,000–$250,000
• Required match: 25% of total project cost
• Limited to equipment purchases only (no renovation, labor, installation, or certification costs).
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
• For-profit businesses
• Nonprofit organizations
• Producer-owned cooperatives
Applicants must also:
• Primarily process cattle
• Have operated for at least one year
• Be independently owned and operated
• Be domestically owned
• Operate under USDA FSIS inspection, an approved state inspection program, or the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program.
Eligible Activities
Funding may be used for:
• Increasing meat processing capacity
• Purchasing processing equipment
• Facility upgrades and modernization
• Renovations necessary for installing equipment
• Expanding local and regional processing capabilities
Although the facility must primarily process cattle to qualify, awarded equipment and facilities may also process other meat and poultry products.
Program Priorities
USDA states that Phase 4 is intended to:
• Strengthen the American beef industry
• Increase competition in meat processing
• Improve supply chain resilience
• Expand local and regional market opportunities
• Support sustainable growth among independent processors
Pre-Application Requirements
☐ Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through SAM.gov.
☐ Register and maintain an active SAM.gov registration.
☐ Create a Grants.gov account and verify your organization can submit applications electronically.
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Required Federal Forms
☐ SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance
☐ SF-424B – Assurances for Non-Construction Programs
☐ AD-2106 – USDA Civil Rights Questionnaire (optional but encouraged)
Project Narrative
☐ Complete the USDA Application Template or provide all required narrative sections in the format specified by the NOFO.
Typical sections include:
• Applicant information
• Project description
• Project need
• Scope of work
• Timeline and milestones
• Budget explanation
• Performance measures
• Merit evaluation responses
Business Documentation
☐ Business Plan including:
• Company overview
• Business goals
• Expansion strategy
• Market opportunity
• Pro forma financial statements
• Evidence that the project is financially viable
Financial Documentation
Provide:
☐ Current balance sheet (dated within 90 days)
☐ Current income statement (dated within 90 days)
☐ Three years of projected:
• Balance sheets
• Income statements
• Cash flow statements
☐ Written explanation of financial assumptions
☐ Demonstrate grant funds are incorporated into projections.
ustomer Demand
☐ Letters of commitment or letters of interest from existing or prospective customers demonstrating demand for the expanded processing capacity.
Key Personnel
Provide for each key team member:
☐ Name
☐ Project role
☐ Qualifications
☐ Relevant experience
☐ Years of experience
Letters of Support
Include letters from organizations such as:
• Industry partners
• Producers
• Customers
• State or local government
• Economic development organizations
• Tribal governments (if applicable)
These should demonstrate community support and project need.
Before You Submit
☐ Confirm eligibility requirements are met (processor size, cattle processing, inspection status, ownership, etc.).
☐ Verify the required matching funds are documented (50% for Processing Expansion Projects; 25% for Equipment-Only Projects).
☐ Ensure all attachments are uploaded in Grants.gov.
☐ Submit by August 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Tips for a Stronger Application
While not all of these are mandatory attachments, they can strengthen your proposal:
• A detailed equipment list with vendor quotes.
• A project schedule (e.g., Gantt chart) showing procurement, construction, installation, and operational milestones.
• Documentation demonstrating secured matching funds (bank statements, financing commitments, board resolutions).
• Estimates of jobs created or retained, increased processing capacity, and projected economic impact.
• Evidence of USDA inspection status and current processing throughput.
