Deadline: 06-Oct-2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency is inviting applications for Phase 3 of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), focused specifically on invasive, wild-caught catfish.
This program aims to support the resilience of the food and agricultural supply chain while simultaneously addressing the environmental threat posed by invasive species. A total of $6 million in competitive grant funding is available to support projects that expand processing capacity and improve operational efficiency in seafood processing facilities.
Grants under this program will fund the purchase of equipment and the necessary upgrades or retrofits to install it. These investments are intended to boost the processing of wild-caught catfish, contributing to both economic growth and the protection of marine ecosystems. Reducing invasive catfish populations through expanded processing aligns with efforts to restore ecological balance and safeguard the long-term sustainability of local fisheries.
Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as for-profit and nonprofit organizations, producer-owned cooperatives, certified benefit corporations, Tribes and Tribal Entities, and state or local government agencies. Applicants must be domestically owned and independently operated, with processing facilities located within the United States or its territories. To qualify, applicants must already be processing seafood or wild-caught catfish for commercial markets, have been in business for over a year, and possess or plan to obtain a USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service grant of inspection.
The proposed projects must increase the processing capacity for invasive catfish at existing facilities. Additionally, applicants must operate in a state that recognizes catfish as an invasive or aquatic nuisance species in its aquatic management plans. Each grant will cover up to $1 million or 50 percent of the total project cost, whichever is less, with a minimum funding threshold of $250,000. A 50 percent cost share from other sources is required and must be identified in the application.
The USDA will consider factors such as geography, species, business model, and environmental benefits to ensure diversity in the allocation of funds. The maximum period for implementing the awarded projects is 24 months. Projects that include further processing may also be eligible if they use primarily their own products and demonstrate increased demand for wild-caught catfish.
This initiative offers a strategic opportunity for seafood processors to enhance their infrastructure while supporting environmental restoration and economic development.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
