The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) is seeking to support dairy product manufacturers that want help developing an innovative idea or tackling a challenge with the potential to advance the dairy industry. DBIA, a partnership between the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), is launching an “Industry Impact” Grant Program to support these efforts. DBIA will distribute up to $1 million in reimbursable grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000.

Creating new revenue streams, developing new uses for dairy ingredients/products, solving challenges, etc., DBIA wants to hear your big ideas to help boost the dairy industry. While matching funds are not required for this project, the DBIA is looking for applicants to optimize their chances of success by combining their own resources with the DBIA award. Applicants do not have to be dairy processors but must collaborate with a dairy company on the project in order to demonstrate industry interest and resource capabilities. Dairy processor applicants must be located or have plants/locations within the DBIA five state region of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Grant applications and instructions will be available June 15 on the DBIA website: https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/dbia-grant-program.

To learn more, contact Tom Guerin at tguerin@cdr.wisc.edu or Vic Grassman at vgrassman@cdr.wisc.edu.

Sign Up for DBIA Updates: Sign up to receive email updates from DBIA, including grant information and other news – https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/dbia-updates-sign-up-form

More information: Announcements regarding DBIA grants and trainings can be found at https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/dbia and www.WisCheeseMakers.org.