Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by The University of Tennessee

Apply online through the SDBII application portal (Foundant, grantinterface.com urlkey=utk); requires completed application, Grant Budget Form showing 25% match, quotes for equipment over $5,000, at least one Letter of Support, and a UEI from SAM.gov before contracting.

Deadline text on the page: 2026 round closed March 4, 2026 at 5:00pm/ET (page text still says 'currently open'). SDBII funding calendar: 'January 6th – March 3rd, 2027' for the next round.

Shep Stearns

SDBII state coordinator (TN, AL, FL, LA)

Tori Embry

SDBII state contact (KY, AR, VA, WV)

Brittany Whitmire

SDBII state contact (NC, SC, GA, MS)

Reimbursement grants from the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative for permitted dairy farm businesses in the Southeast to make farm facility updates. Funded by USDA AMS and administered by the UT Institute of Agriculture. Applicants provide a 25% cash match.



- Permitted/licensed dairy businesses (production or processing of milk) in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV or Puerto Rico
- Funding calendar lists eligible applicants as 'Dairy Producers'
- No immediate family member working for SDBII; $700,000 lifetime cap across SDBII grants

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

Grant

Reimbursement grant; cash match of at least 25% of requested funds (= 20% of total project cost); competitive, scored on a 100-point rubric.

Published amounts: $100,000 maximum award; 25% matching funds requirement. (2026 RFP) Applicants may not be awarded more than $700,000 total across all SDBII grants.

Apply online through the SDBII application portal (grantinterface.com urlkey=utk) with application, budget form showing 25% match, equipment quotes over $5,000, a Letter of Support and supplemental materials; UEI required before contracting.

Deadline text on the page: 2026 round closed March 4, 2026, at 5:00pm/ET (page text still says 'currently open'). SDBII funding calendar: 'January 6th – March 3rd, 2027'.

Reimbursement grants that help permitted Southeast dairy producers and processors adopt precision technology to improve animal health, labor efficiency, energy use or land use. Run by the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative at the UT Institute of Agriculture with USDA AMS funds.



- Current licensed dairy businesses in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV or Puerto Rico
- Funding calendar lists eligible applicants as 'Dairy Producers'
- Projects should improve animal health/wellbeing/performance, enhance labor efficiency, reduce energy costs or environmental impact, or increase utilization of the farm's land base; must justify the technology chosen

Reimbursement grant; cash match of at least 25% of requested funds; competitive.

Published amounts: $150,000 maximum award; 25% matching funds requirement. (2026 RFP) $700,000 cap across all SDBII grants.

Apply online through the SDBII application portal (grantinterface.com urlkey=utk); RFP, budget workbook and rubric on the program page; UEI from SAM.gov required before contract.

Deadline text on the page: 'The application window closed on September 23, 2026.' Funding calendar: 'July 22nd – September 23rd, 2026'. Next round not yet posted (prior rounds ran each summer/fall).

Reimbursement grants for permitted Southeast dairy businesses to hire experts to plan for the future — feasibility studies for on-farm creameries, business or transition plans, legal services, and specialized training. Run by the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative at the UT Institute of Agriculture with USDA AMS funds. Farm-level operations costs (herd health, feed, upgrades) are not eligible.



- Permitted dairy farm businesses and dairy processors in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV or Puerto Rico
- Applicants with an open Dairy Business Planning Grant are ineligible
- Farm-level operations (upgrades, herd health, feed) not eligible

Reimbursement; no match required; competitive.

Published amounts: Maximum award: $30,000. A total of $250,000 is available. There is no match requirement on these grants. (2026 RFP)

Apply online through the SDBII application portal (grantinterface.com urlkey=utk); RFP, budget workbook and rubric on the program page.

Deadline text on the page: 'The application window closed on September 23, 2026.' Funding calendar: 'July 22nd – September 23rd, 2026'.

Reimbursement grants for Southeast dairy processors, including on-farm creameries, to buy specialty processing equipment such as vat pasteurizers, cream separators or cheese tables. Run by the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative at the UT Institute of Agriculture with USDA AMS funds.



- Operate an existing, permitted dairy processing business (or have a documented feasibility plan) in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV or Puerto Rico
- Funding calendar lists eligible applicants as 'Dairy Processors'
- Farm-level operations not eligible

Reimbursement; cash match of at least 25% of the request (e.g., $150,000 request needs $37,500 match).

Published amounts: Maximum award: $150,000. A total of $1.0 million is available. Applicants must provide a cash match of at least 25% of the amount requested from SDBII. (2026 RFP)

List of The University of Tennessee Funding Opportunities