Agriculture Innovation Center Program

What does this program do?

Through the AIC program, RBCS makes grants to Centers that provide Producer Services to Agricultural Producers seeking to develop and market Value-Added Agricultural Products.

Program Funding: $1,500,000

Maximum Grant Amount: $1,000,000

Who may apply for this program?

• Commercial Organizations 
• Indian Tribes
• Institutions of Higher Education
• Local Governments
• Nonprofit Organizations
• State Governments

Matching Funds Requirement:

Matching Funds are required for at least one-third of the total project budget. For example, if the total project budget is $1,500,000, matching funds must be at least $500,000. Matching funds may be provided in cash by the applicant or a third party or in-kind by a third party. They must be available for use during the period of performance, and they must be used for allowable expenses.

How may funds be used?
Grant and matching funds may be used to operate an agriculture innovation center, and to provide the following services to agricultural producers:

• Business development services, such as feasibility studies and business plans.. 
• Market development services, such as marketing plans, branding, and customer identification.
• Organizational assistance, such as legal and technical advisory services related to the development, expansion, or operation of a business. 
• Financial advisory services related to the development, expansion, or operation of a business, such as assistance with obtaining credit for operating costs, training on using financial management software, and guidance on use of cash flow. 
• Process development services, such as engineering services, scale production assessments, and systems development.
• Product development, such as idea generation, concept testing, feasibility and cost analysis, product taste-testing, demographic and other types of consumer analysis, production analysis, recipe development, evaluation of packaging and labeling options, and brand development for a value-added agricultural product.
• Value chain coordination, or directly working with an agricultural producer to connect that producer to a distribution system, processing facility, or commercial kitchen.
• Grants to agricultural producers for the above services, where the individual award does not exceed $5,000.

How do we get started?

Before you apply: 

• Register your organization with the System for Award Management (SAM), if you aren’t already registered. The registration is free. You need to complete several steps. It’s a good idea to start the registration process at least a month before any application deadline. Before you start the registration process, we suggest reading through the HELP materials available on the SAM website. Make a note of your Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code and expiration date because you’ll need those for your application.

Forms and Resources:
Select the To Apply tab to access program forms and resource information.

Who can answer questions?

Gail Thuner, Direct Programs Branch, Program Management Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3201, Room 5803-South, Washington, DC 20250-3250

Phone - 202-720-1400 Email SM.RBCS.AIC@usda.gov.

Persons with disabilities that require alternative means for communication should contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice).

Will I need to send any reports if I receive a grant?
Yes, you must send regular financial and performance reports. Your financial assistance agreement will explain how often to send the reports, what forms to use, and what information is mandatory.

Where can I get more information about the program?
The program regulation that governs this program is 7 CFR 4284 Part 4284 Subpart K and is available at this link: eCFR :: 7 CFR Part 4284 -- Grants.