Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program is sponsored by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (administered by the Farm and Food Growth Fund). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Aquaculture Grants LI | Ffgf Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grants The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and the Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) are administrating the Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant program, which will provide two types of funding assistance: 1) Round 1 - funding for aquaculture equipment available on a rolling basis (now closed), and 2) Round 2 - funding for aquaculture infrastructure in a single request for proposal process.

The Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant program seeks to expand and renew aquaculture operations in Long Island to promote long term viability of the marine economy and support the scaling of existing and new products produced in New York State.

The program will provide two rounds of funding assistance: Round 1 – Equipment Only: Funding for aquaculture equipment available on a rolling first-come, first-served basis (now closed), and Round 2 – Infrastructure Projects: Funding for aquaculture infrastructure in a single request for proposal competitive process. The purpose of this request for applications is to solicit applications for Round 2 – Infrastructure.

Funds provided by this grant are intended for the private sector and will be used to invest in the cost of construction, renovation, alteration, rehabilitation, improvements, installation, acquisition, repair or replacement of buildings, docks, equipment, or permanent or temporary facilities to support the preparation, packaging, and distribution of Long Island shellfish and other aquaculture products.

Grants are available to applicants in Long Island. Aquaculture Equipment Only Grants Application period opens: August 4, 2025 Application deadline: Closed, effective Friday, August 22, 2025 Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until funds for this purpose are exhausted. Requests have exceeded available funds.

Aquaculture Infrastructure Grants Application period opens: November 3, 2025 Application deadline: Closed, effective Monday, January 5, 2026 Projects must be completed by December 31, 2029. No late submissions will be accepted. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

This is a New York State funded program and is not affected by any federal actions. Priorities and Objectives Project approaches must expand, improve, or install aquaculture equipment and supplies that support the viability and scaling of aquaculture businesses in Long Island.

Funding is available for projects related to the following activities: Expansion of aquaculture production capabilities, aggregation, processing and distribution capabilities Operational efficiency improvements Increasing cold storage capacity Improving food safety standards for processing facilities Expanding cold distribution volume and/or mileage radius Other purposes deemed necessary to further opportunities for aquaculture producers and hatcheries to grow and/or store their products.

Round 2 funding includes infrastructure upgrades, including construction, renovation, and installed fixtures (e.g., walk-in cooler, ice machine). Round 1 awardees may apply to Round 2. Estimated Funding Timeline Infrastructure Grant Timeline RFA Opened: November 3, 2025 Applications Close: January 5, 2026.

Applications are now closed. Awarding: to be announced, spring 2026 Projects must be completed by December 31, 2029 At least $3 million will be available to eligible applicants through the Infrastructure funding. Maximum award is $250,000.

Applicants may not request more than this per project. Minimum award is $100,000. Applicants must request at least this much per project.

There will be no Match Requirement. Long Island, NY based aquaculture producers and growers with valid permits/licenses who are currently harvesting and selling aquaculture products. For the purposes of this grant program, a producer and grower is defined as a person in the State of New York who is engaged in the for-profit cultivation and production of aquaculture products.

Aquaculture products include fish, fish products, water plants and shellfish (as defined in AGM Law § 301). Long Island, NY based aquaculture hatchery businesses For the purposes of this grant program, a New York State aquaculture hatchery business is a for-profit business that grows and sells aquaculture products.

Trade Associations and Tribal Governments representing a group of Long Island, NY based aquaculture producers and growers Group applicants must justify the project based on collective benefit to producers and growers. No business may be involved in more than one proposal for the infrastructure round. For example, if a member of a is included in a trade association’s proposal they cannot submit an individual proposal as well.

Applicants must select only one project in which to participate. Nonprofit organizations that are currently generating revenue through their aquaculture-related activities (i.e. seed to industry or finished product to buyers). Applicants must produce aquaculture products in New York State and must comply with all Federal and New York State laws and regulations.

An eligible application will show the following: The reason that the business’s existing equipment and systems do not meet their current growth plans, and how this grant project is both timely and necessary for the business to succeed and expand. The project is part of a proactive plan for future operation and continued business viability, with measurable results.

The project will have significant positive impacts on applicant’s business. Projects that impact multiple producers are preferred. The business is a reliable producer and is in good standing with its buyers as demonstrated in the letter of support from a buyer.

If applicable, the applicant also demonstrates strong commitment from its project partners, including other growers who will jointly benefit from and collaborate with the applicant on the construction and management of the infrastructure investment.

Applicant demonstrates an awareness and readiness to implement the activities described, through quotes, plans, letters of support etc. Eligible grant expenses will include the construction, renovation, adaptation, purchase, and/or installation of structures, equipment, supplies, and other expenses related to the production, harvesting and delivery or aquaculture farmed products. An example list of expenditures is provided below.

Items not included on the list below are considered eligible if they align with the objectives and goals of the program. Construction, renovation, or adaptation of docks (floating or permanent), pilings, or other production infrastructure in support of aquaculture operations.

Purchase and installation of marine equipment such as booms and winches, bottom cages, floating cages, trays, racks, bags, nets, baskets, buoys, anchors, Aqua purses, cross ties, cables, and hatchery and nursery equipment including tanks, pumps, filters, plumbing supplies, chillers, compressors, lighting, bioreactors, sterilizers, upwellers, raceways, nursery tanks, trays, laboratory glassware, nutrients, reagents,and the like.

Construction, renovation, or adaptation of temporary or permanent structures for onshore or on-dock processing. Purchase and installation of equipment and supplies such as tumblers, sorting machines, counting and bagging machines, washing machines, winches, haulers, fixed cold storage, ice machines, processing equipment and facilities and associated construction costs.

Nursery operations - aquaria, nursery spools, settling tubes, water chiller, lighting, air pump, filtration equipment, refrigerator, microscope and other basic laboratory equipment Mooring and ground tackle, mooring balls, mooring chains, ropes and long lines, depth maintenance systems (droppers, buoys, etc.) Processing equipment - Food mill, freezer/cold storage, drying equipment, blanching equipment, food grade containers Packaging and storage – packaging lines, containers, shelving Vehicles fully equipped with cold storage capacity to support transportation of aquaculture products from farm to customer Requires a 1:1 match, which means 50% funded by the applicant.

If requesting funding for a refrigerated vehicle, the grant will reimburse up to 50% of the value of the approved vehicle. The applicant must demonstrate the financial means to purchase the remaining balance through cash reserves or debt financing. Proof of primary driver’s valid license (CDL, if required), title and registration, and active insurance required as part of claim for reimbursement.

Mechanical refrigeration equipment to retrofit owned vehicles for distribution of aquaculture products Costs not specified on the above lists may be considered, if justified and determined eligible by the advisory committee conducting eligibility review for each application. Equipment (items over $5,000 per unit) must be supported by a current quote or estimate.

Supplies including items costing less than $5,000 per unit and do not require a quote but are encouraged. Municipal Governments and Educational Institutions are ineligible.

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to: Projects not primarily operating on or around Long Island, NY Projects not in operation at the time of submission Personnel and fringe expenses Vehicles not equipped with or used for cold chain distribution of aquaculture products Travel expenses, including that pertaining to equipment acquisition Training expenses, including for the use of new equipment or otherwise Expenses paid by the applicant before the start of the grant period Purchase of land or buildings Interested in Applying?

Take these Steps: 1. Read the full RFA to learn about the application process and what you will be required to submit with your application. 2.

Gather documentation listed in the RFA to be submitted with your application such as letters of support, letters of commitment, most recent passing operation inspection documentation, and any cost quotations as needed. Review the RFA for the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program. Visit https://ffgf.

smapply. us/res/p/Home-Page If you do not already have an account with FFGF, set up an account by using the Register button in the top right-hand corner of the page. Reference the How to Create an Account on Survey Monkey guide below.

Select the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure program and proceed to begin your application. You are not required to complete the application process in a single sitting. The form enables you to save your progress and resume at a later time or date from where you left off.

It's important to note that none of your saved responses are final until you officially submit your application, allowing you to make changes or edits as needed.

If did not submit an application for the Equipment Only round before applications closed, but feel that you have a project that fits that or similar criteria, you may choose to pursue other avenues such as: New York State Grown & Certified – This is also a New York State program that offers marketing and equipment support for all types of New York based growers, including aquaculture. https://certified. ny.

gov/ Local Government Grants – You may want to speak with local elected leaders, if you have not done so already, to see if there are regional grants that would support your efforts Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Round 2 RFA How to Create an Account on Survey Monkey Step by Step Video: How to Complete the Application Frequently Asked Questions Open Business Hours: November 17, 2025 webinar recording November 17, 2025 Open Business Hours Presentation For questions, please email us at bluefoods@ffgrowthfund.

org Support is generally available during business hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a. m. - 5:00 p.

m. ET. Assistance may not be available shortly before deadlines.

Beyond the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant program, FFGF and its affiliate organization the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) both offer numerous programs that are available for farms and food businesses to access. For questions, please email us at BlueFoods@ffgrowthfund. org