USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4

Who qualifies

USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4 is a federal grant from USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, open to businesses nationwide, with a published award of $10K–$2,000,000. Deadline for USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4: August 7, 2026.

• Must be a for-profit meat or poultry slaughter/processing facility
• Must hold a current USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) grant of inspection
• Must have been in operation under FSIS inspection for at least 1 year prior to application
• Must be a small business under SBA size standards (NAICS 311611: 500 employees; 311612/311613/311615: 1,000 employees)
• Track A: award range $50,000–$2,000,000 with 50% cost-share match required
• Track B: award range $10,000–$250,000 with 25% cost-share match required
• Applicant cannot be debarred or suspended from federal programs

Hard requirements

• Must be incorporated
• Restricted to specific NAICS codes: 311611, 311612, 311613, 311615

What it covers

USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4 is a federal grant from USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, open to businesses nationwide, with a published award of $10K–$2,000,000. Deadline for USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4: August 7, 2026. USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program covers 7 categories of eligible expense and excludes 6.

How to apply

Applying to USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4 ($10K–$2,000,000 from USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service, businesses nationwide) takes 6 steps and about 38 hours in total. Deadline for USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4: August 7, 2026.

1. 1

   Confirm FSIS grant of inspection status

   Verify your establishment holds an active USDA FSIS grant of inspection and has been under inspection for at least 1 full year. Obtain your establishment number — it is required in the application.

   ~1 hrs

2. 2

   Select Track A or Track B

   Evaluate your project scope and matching capacity. Track A ($50K–$2M, 50% match) suits major facility expansions or equipment overhauls. Track B ($10K–$250K, 25% match) suits targeted upgrades like food safety equipment, refrigeration, or small-scale expansions.

   ~2 hrs

3. 3

   Develop project plan and cost estimates

   Define the specific expansion or improvement project. Obtain contractor bids or equipment quotations. Ensure all costs are eligible (construction, equipment, food safety systems) and ineligible items are excluded (operating costs, land acquisition).

   ~12 hrs

4. 4

   Secure matching funds commitment

   Identify matching funds equal to 50% (Track A) or 25% (Track B) of grant request. Match can be cash (bank commitment letter) or eligible in-kind contributions. Document in writing before submitting.

   ~4 hrs

5. 5

   Complete SF-424 forms and project narrative

   Fill out SF-424, SF-424A (budget), and write the project narrative describing the expansion's purpose, expected capacity increase, food safety improvements, and economic impact (jobs created/retained, animals processed per year).

   ~16 hrs

6. 6

   Submit application on Grants.gov

   Assemble all required attachments (establishment number, FSIS documentation, quotes/bids, match commitment letters, SF forms) and submit on Grants.gov by August 7, 2026. Submit at least 48 hours early to catch system errors.

   ~3 hrs

Deadline & timing

USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4 is listed as active in the GrantCompass catalog as of August 24, 2026. Deadline for USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4: August 7, 2026. USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program — Phase 4 awards $10K–$2,000,000 to businesses nationwide through USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program application runs to 6 steps and about 38 hours of work in total. USDA Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program sits at the federal level and is classified as a grant.

Phase 4 NOFO posted on grants.gov. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by August 7, 2026. SAM.gov registration and Grants.gov account must be active before applying. USDA will not accept late applications. Technical questions to MPPEP@usda.gov.