OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesRD-RBS-26-03-MPPEP

MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish

Rural Business-Cooperative ServiceCloses Dec 7, 2026(55 days left)$50,000 – $2,000,000

Does this fit your business?

This is a federal grant for processors of invasive wild-caught catfish to expand processing capacity and volume, raise fisher and processor incomes, and create stable rural jobs. Awards run $50,000 to $2 million with cost sharing required, and only about 6 awards are expected from $6 million total. If you are not processing catfish or meat and poultry, or you cannot cover cost sharing, do not bother.

Best for
Invasive wild-caught catfish processors expanding capacity or volume, Rural meat and poultry processors adding equipment, infrastructure, or hiring, Producer-owned cooperatives and certified benefit corporations in fish processing, Tribes and state or local governments supporting rural processing jobs
Not for
Businesses outside catfish or meat and poultry processing, Applicants that cannot meet the cost-sharing requirement, Urban operations with no rural job or economic development angle
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingMatches your industry (rural)
85
Strong Match
Food & BeverageCurrently accepting applications
78
Strong Match
Retail & E-CommerceMatches your industry (economic)
73
Good Match
Finance & BankingMatches your industry (economic)
72
Good Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to construction & infrastructure
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Education & TrainingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to education & training
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to healthcare & biotech
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Nothing in this notice points to technology & software
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Nothing in this notice points to transportation & logistics
54
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Expansion, Capital projects, Equipment, Infrastructure, Hiring
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Other applicants (see eligibility)
Award range
$50,000 – $2,000,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
December 7, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $50,000 to $2,000,000. The program has $6,000,000 total and expects roughly 6 awards, and cost sharing is required.
Who can apply for this grant?
For-profit and nonprofit entities, producer-owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, Tribes and Tribal entities, state or local governments, and other business types regardless of legal structure. Eligible codes also include small businesses, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and federally recognized tribal governments.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Eligibility text covers other business types regardless of legal structure, but sole proprietors and single-member LLCs are not named, so check the full notice.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible applicants.

Summary

Grants of $50,000–$2M (cost sharing required) for meat and poultry processors—here, processors of invasive wild-caught catfish—to expand processing capacity and volume, raise fisher and processor incomes, and create stable, safe rural jobs. For-profits, nonprofits, cooperatives, Tribes, and state/local governments may apply.

About this grant

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their capacity, which creates new, better and more processing options for meat and poultry producers. The goal for MPPEP Phase 3 Round 2 is to support Processors of Invasive, Wild-Caught Catfish species by increasing Processing capacity and providing greater opportunity in this sector. Strategies that can fulfill the goal of this NOFO and ensure lasting impacts include projects to increase Processing capacity; increase Processing volume; elevate incomes for both fishers and Processors; and to provide fair wages, and new, stable and safe job opportunities at Processing facilities to increase economic development in rural communities.

Who can apply

for‐profit and nonprofit entities, producer‐owned Cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, Tribes and Tribal Entities, State or local government entities, and other business types (regardless of legal structure

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Agriculture
  • Food processing
  • Economic development
  • Rural development

Program contact

Nancy D Pletcher Business Loan and Grant Analystmppep@usda.gov785-271-2733

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