Minnesota State Grants

Industrial Innovation in Food Systems Implementation Grants 

This RFP focuses on supporting project implementation at food and beverage manufacturing and organic waste processing facilities. The goal of the program is to implement circular economy principles and innovative technologies at these sites toward achieving carbon neutrality and zero waste through energy efficiency, fuel-switching, and strategic integration and stacking of advanced technologies. These grants will support eligible entities to execute projects at their facility that will improve their operational efficiency and reduce operating costs while also lessening environmental impacts to communities through reducing GHG emissions, criteria air pollutants (CAP), hazardous air pollutants (HAP), and/or waste through incorporating cutting-edge and emerging technologies. It also provides opportunities for entities to reduce fossil fuel use, decrease grid reliance, and/or produce energy from waste. This funding will help ensure that Minnesota’s food and beverage industry remains competitive, operational, and located within Minnesota.

Minimum grant award - $50,000

Maximum grant award - $25,000,000

Round 1: applications accepted until July 1, 2026 

Round 2: applications accepted until October 1, 2026 

Round 3: applications accepted until January 1, 2027 

Round 4: applications accepted until April 1, 2027 

Round 5: applications accepted until July 1, 2027 

Round 6: applications accepted until October 1, 2027 

Round 7: applications accepted until January 1, 2028 

Round 8: applications accepted until April 1, 2028 

State Competitiveness Matching Funds

Applications are currently being accepted for approximately $36 million in unreserved funds. The Minnesota State Competitiveness Fund (SCF) Matching Funds Program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. This program was created by the Minnesota state legislature in 2023 and provides matching funds for eligible entities applying for approved federal funding opportunities requiring a match or whose federal application would benefit from matching funds. This legislatively created program is intended to increase the competitiveness of Minnesota organizations in securing federal funding.

Applications are accepted and reviewed quarterly until funding is fully distributed.