Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI)

NYFVI manages a competitive application process on behalf of New York State. Proposals are evaluated on their potential to deliver measurable benefits to the specialty crop industry through practical research, education, and innovation. Consult NYFVI's application resources for the current round's priorities and deadlines.

New York Farm Viability Institute

The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBG) is a competitive grant initiative administered in New York State by&#x2004;the New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. It leverages federal USDA funding to support research, education, and innovation that enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of specialty crops across New York State. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, nursery crops, and related products. The program prioritizes projects that address production challenges, improve pest and disease management, expand research and development, and strengthen environmental sustainability for specialty crop growers statewide.



The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBG) is a competitive grant initiative administered in New York State by the New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. It leverages federal USDA funding to support research, education, and innovation that enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of specialty crops across New York State. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, nursery crops, and related products. The program prioritizes projects that address production challenges, improve pest and disease management, expand research and development, and strengthen environmental sustainability for specialty crop growers statewide.

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit entities, educational institutions, local governments, and other qualified organizations undertaking work that supports specialty crop competitiveness and long-term viability in New York. Individual farmers are not direct applicants; projects must deliver measurable benefits to the specialty crop industry broadly. NYFVI manages the competitive process on behalf of the State, working with the State's Specialty Crop Advisory Group to set funding priorities.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Certification

Trials

Stewardship

Certified Organic

Inputs

Grant awards typically range from $50,000 to $200,000, with project durations of up to eight quarters (two years).

Round 2 is anticipated to launch by January 2027; Round One closed in 2025. When open, applications are submitted through the NYFVI online grant portal at grantinterface.com.

NYFVI Grown & Certified Grants

NYFVI Staff

The NYS Grown & Certified Infrastructure and Technology Grant provides $8.5 million to support New York food and beverage producers, processors, distributors, and other eligible entities in bringing NYS Grown & Certified food and beverage products to market through investments in innovative infrastructure and technology.



Applicants must be current NYS Grown & Certified participants or actively working to become certified. Eligible entity types include food and beverage producers, processors, distributors, and other eligible entities.

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

High Tunnel

HVAC

Irrigation

Lighting

Repairs

Storage

Trade Relief

Marketing

Conservation

Research

Compliance

Grant sizes range from $20,000 to $250,000 with a required 10% match. Priority areas include production automation and labor efficiency, distribution capacity enhancement, processing and packaging, food safety, environmental sustainability, and new product development.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis (June 26, 2026 through October 25, 2027, or until funds are exhausted) through the NYFVI online grant portal at grantinterface.com. Projects have a duration of 18 months from contract execution.

The NYS Grown & Certified Research and Development Grant provides $1.36 million to help NYS Grown & Certified farmers, food processors and distributors cover the research and development costs needed to launch new NYS Grown & Certified food products.



New York farmers, food processors, distributors, and others currently enrolled in the NYS Grown & Certified Program.

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Grant awards range from $10,000 to $50,000 with a required 10% match. Eligible project areas include consulting services, technical service providers, market research, product development, food lab testing and pilot runs, GAP and USDA certification training expenses, farm-to-institution specialists, and other services tied to research and development.

All applications must be submitted online through NYFVI's web-based system, and applicants must register for credentials. Applicant's should carefully read the Call For Proposals before applying. 
Applicants must file all internal paperwork, receive any permission, grant office numbers, or other requirements of your employer, prior to submitting an application; failure to do so may make applications ineligible for funding consideration.
On October 10, 2022, staff will provide written feedback to applicants. Applicants will have the opportunity to revise their proposal based on that feedback. Revised proposals are due no later than October 24, 2022.
If you have not previously used the NYFVI online applications system, you will need to apply for system credentials. Don’t wait until the last minute, staff is available to activate your log in and password only during normal business hours.

NYFVI seeks proposals with clear relevance to&#x2004;New York's agricultural community, demonstrated producer support, and the ability to deliver farm-level economic impact over time. The RFP is aligned with NYFVI's five strategic priorities: improving individual farms' operating practices, fostering industry innovation, incubating new ideas, improving routes to market and marketing practices, and developing human capital. The board is particularly interested in proposals that accelerate practice adoption. Projects must work with New York State farmers and measure outcomes and impacts that benefit agriculture in New York State.



NYFVI seeks proposals with clear relevance to New York's agricultural community, demonstrated producer support, and the ability to deliver farm-level economic impact over time. The RFP is aligned with NYFVI's five strategic priorities: improving individual farms' operating practices, fostering industry innovation, incubating new ideas, improving routes to market and marketing practices, and developing human capital. The board is particularly interested in proposals that accelerate practice adoption. Projects must work with New York State farmers and measure outcomes and impacts that benefit agriculture in New York State.

Eligible grant applicants include farmer groups, researchers, educators, organizations, agencies and businesses. Applicants may represent nonprofit or for-profit sectors. NYFVI encourages individuals with ideas to partner with existing organizations to ensure project viability and execution. If you are an individual and need guidance in this regard, please contact NYFVI staff.
Former and current NYFVI grantees are eligible for funding. Those seeking funds for project continuation will face scrutiny in regard to financial viability and project performance.
Projects must work with New York State resident farmers and outcomes must benefit agriculture in New York State.

- Call For Proposals
- FVI Grant Eligibility and Project Requirements
- NYFVI Strategic Priorities
- Insider’s Guide: What We’ve Been Hearing from the Farmer Review Panels and NYFVI Board
- Paired Proposals: Collaboration Opportunity
- Selection Process and Scoring Criteria
- The Online Application: Know What Goes Where

Soil Health

Local Food

Reduced Tillage

Farmers Market

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Water Management

Dollar value:  Proposals between $15,000 and $125,000 will be accepted.
Duration: Funded projects will begin between March 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. Projects must last at least two quarters (six months) and may last no more than eight quarters (two years). All projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.
Location: Projects must work with New York State resident farmers and outcomes must benefit agriculture in New York State.
Payment schedule: All funds are paid on a reimbursement basis each quarter. Payments are made only after a quarterly report and reimbursement claim, with required backup documentation, are submitted and approved.
Impact Measurement: All projects must measure and report on the outcomes and impacts of their work.
Reporting Requirements: The NYFVI online database is used to manage the initial application as well as all reporting and expenditure claims. Project leaders are required to submit quarterly progress reports that must be approved before reimbursements are made. A final report is due within 60 days of project completion. 10% of the total project budget will be withheld until the final report is completed and approved.
Funding Source Acknowledgement: All projects must acknowledge NYFVI as the funder, or partial funder, for their work in all online information, printed material, and presentations.

Applications are competitive and reimbursement-based, submitted online through the NYFVI grant portal at grantinterface.com. The 2026 application window (Round 2) was open March 16, 2026 through June 14, 2026, with award announcements anticipated by early October 2026.

The NYS Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program provides funding to help new and early-stage farmers build financially sustainable agricultural businesses in New York State. It assists beginning farmers with the financial costs associated with the creation or expansion of a new farm operation. The program is administered by the New York Farm Viability Institute on behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.



For-profit farm businesses operating within New York State that are start-ups or have been in business for ten years or less. Beginning farmers must be actively involved in day-to-day farm management and operate a commercial farm in New York State. Applicants whose farms generated less than $1,000 in the prior year must provide a business plan. Applicants must demonstrate potential for business growth and improved financial sustainability.

Historically Underserved

Legal & Finance

Awards range from $5,000–$50,000 and $50,001–$200,000, based on project complexity and duration. All projects require a 5% match, regardless of funding amount.

List of New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) Funding Opportunities