Funder: Agricultural Marketing Service
Due Dates: April 22, 2025 (11:59 pm ET, Grants.gov)
Funding Amounts: Total program funding: $2,000,000 | Award ceiling: $2,000,000 | Award floor: $500,000 | Up to 3 years
Summary: Supports projects that strengthen and enhance bison production and marketing in the US, with a focus on subawards, partnerships, and industry innovation.
Key Information: At least 80% of funds must be used for a competitive subaward program; national non-profits and federally chartered Tribal organizations with bison expertise are prioritized.
Description
This federal grant program, administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), aims to strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of bison and bison products in the United States. The program supports business and resource development, innovative solutions to long-term industry needs, and encourages broad partnerships—especially among bison industry organizations and Tribes. The majority of awarded funds must be distributed as competitive subawards to projects that benefit bison producers, with a smaller portion available for direct programming by the lead applicant.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: April 22, 2025, 11:59 pm Eastern Time (via Grants.gov)
- Late applications will not be considered.
Funding Amount
- Total Available Funding: Approximately $2,000,000
- Award Ceiling: $2,000,000
- Award Floor: $500,000
- Project Duration: Up to 3 years
- Subawards: At least 80% of the total award must be used for a competitive subaward program; individual subawards may not exceed $150,000 and must be completed within 2 years.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be based in the 50 US states, DC, or US territories. AMS will prioritize:
- National non-profit organizations with expertise in bison production or marketing
- Federally chartered Tribal organizations with relevant expertise
Other eligible entities include:
- Agricultural businesses or cooperatives
- Producer networks or associations
- Local governments
- Nonprofit corporations (including 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit types)
- Economic development corporations
- Tribal governments
Note: Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to manage a competitive subaward program, including solicitation, review, award, oversight, and reporting.
Application Process
- Read the full Request for Applications (RFA) and program requirements.
- Register your organization:
- Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
- Register with SAM.gov
- Register with Grants.gov
- Prepare and submit the following via Grants.gov:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- Project Abstract Summary
- Project Narrative (max 20 pages, single-spaced, 11pt font)
- Letters of Commitment from all partner and collaborator organizations (template available)
- Optional: Program/Budget Narrative Template (DOCX)
- Submit early: Registration and application processes can take several weeks. AMS recommends submitting at least two weeks before the deadline.
Additional Information
- No cost sharing or matching is required.
- Indirect costs are allowed per federal guidelines (de minimis rate of 15% MTDC if no negotiated rate).
- Projects must benefit the broader bison community, not just a single producer or entity.
- Construction, land purchase, and legal fees are not eligible expenses.
- Subaward recipients must be based in the US or eligible territories.
- Applications will be evaluated on alignment with program goals, technical merit, achievability, expertise and partnerships, and fiscal plan.
External Links
Contact Information
| Topic | Contact Details |
|---|
| Program Questions | BPMGP@usda.gov |
| Grants.gov Support | support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726 (24/7 except federal holidays) |
| Mailing Address | Bison Production and Marketing Grant Program
USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 1510 South Building, Stop 0264
Washington, DC 20250-0269 |