Opportunity Information: Apply for RDBCP AIC 2020
The Agriculture Innovation Center Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number: RDBCP AIC 2020) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, specifically through USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs. Its core purpose is to fund Agriculture Innovation Centers that can deliver hands-on technical assistance to agricultural producers, with a clear emphasis on helping them market value-added agricultural products. In practical terms, the program is designed to strengthen rural and agricultural economies by helping producers move beyond commodity sales and into higher-value markets through improved product development, marketing, distribution, and business planning support.
The program falls under the Business and Commerce funding activity category (CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.377) and uses a grant funding instrument. Grants under this opportunity can be as large as $1,000,000 per award (the award ceiling), and USDA expected to make about 4 awards under this specific notice. The opportunity was created on October 17, 2019, and the original application closing date was March 20, 2020.
A wide range of applicant types are eligible, reflecting the program's intent to support regional or sector-based centers that can serve producers at scale. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations (both those with 501(c)(3) status and those without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that category); for-profit organizations that are not small businesses; and small businesses. This breadth allows the program to support many different organizational models, such as university-led extension and business development programs, nonprofit technical assistance providers, tribal economic development entities, and specialized private-sector organizations that can credibly deliver producer-focused support.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an investment in technical assistance infrastructure rather than direct farm payments. The USDA is funding organizations that can act as hubs for expertise and services that help agricultural producers successfully commercialize and market value-added products, which can include activities that improve branding, packaging, market access, and business readiness so producers can capture more value from what they grow or raise.Apply for RDBCP AIC 2020
- The Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture Innovation Center Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.377.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 17, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Agriculture Innovation Center (AIC) Grant Program?
The Agriculture Innovation Center Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offered through USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs. It funds Agriculture Innovation Centers that provide hands-on technical assistance to agricultural producers, with a strong emphasis on helping them market value-added agricultural products.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is to strengthen rural and agricultural economies by supporting organizations that help producers move beyond commodity sales and into higher-value markets. This is done through technical assistance related to value-added product development, marketing, distribution, and business planning.
Is this program meant to provide direct payments to farms or producers?
No. The opportunity is best understood as an investment in technical assistance infrastructure rather than direct farm payments. USDA is funding organizations that can serve as hubs for expertise and services to help producers commercialize and market value-added products.
Which USDA office administers this program?
This program is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, specifically through USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RDBCP AIC 2020.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this grant?
The program is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.377.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity falls under the Business and Commerce funding activity category.
What type of funding instrument is used?
This opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) per grant?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000 per award.
How many awards did USDA expect to make under this notice?
USDA expected to make about 4 awards under this specific notice.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on October 17, 2019.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was March 20, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply?
A wide range of applicant types are eligible, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that category)
- For-profit organizations that are not small businesses
- Small businesses
Are tribal governments eligible applicants?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are included among the eligible applicant types.
Are nonprofits eligible to apply even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that category.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Both small businesses and for-profit organizations that are not small businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
What kinds of organizations is USDA trying to fund through this program?
The program is intended to support regional or sector-based centers that can serve producers at scale. Examples described include university-led extension and business development programs, nonprofit technical assistance providers, tribal economic development entities, and specialized private-sector organizations that can credibly deliver producer-focused support.
What does the program mean by "Agriculture Innovation Centers"?
In this context, Agriculture Innovation Centers are organizations (or programs) that function as service hubs providing hands-on technical assistance to agricultural producers, particularly focused on marketing value-added agricultural products and improving business readiness.
What kinds of support or services are Agriculture Innovation Centers expected to provide?
The program emphasizes hands-on technical assistance that helps producers successfully commercialize and market value-added products. This can include support that improves product development, marketing, distribution, and business planning.
What are examples of value-added marketing areas this program aims to improve?
Examples mentioned include activities that improve branding, packaging, market access, and overall business readiness, so producers can capture more value from what they grow or raise.
What is the overall economic goal of this grant program?
The overall goal is to strengthen rural and agricultural economies by enabling producers to access higher-value markets, rather than relying solely on commodity sales.
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