grant overview

USDA Agriculture Innovation Center Program - The purpose of this program is to establish and operate centers that provide technical and business development assistance to agricultural commodity producers seeking to engage in the development and marketing of value-added agricultural products. 

Purdue's goal with the program is to lower barriers of entry into the food industry for producers of agricultural commodities. This will be accomplished through three program phases (listed in more detail below) of asynchronous, online courses, in-person workshops, and individualized product and business development support to enable and empower producers to bring novel food and beverage products to market. 

What is a Value-Added product?

1. Has undergone a change in physical state
2. It was produced in a manner that enhances the value of the agricultural commodity
3. Is physically segregated in a manner that results in the enhancement of the value of the agricultural commodity
4. Is aggregated and marketed as a locally-produced agricultural food product

Grant Eligibility:

If you are interested in applying for this grant, please review the eligibility requirements below. Should you fulfill all requirements, please submit the below-linked eligibility form to FEMI's Business Development Administrator Madison Mehringer at mmehrin@purdue.edu for review and acceptance into the program.

AIC Grant Eligibility Requirements:

All agricultural commodities produced by growers / producers or the entrepreneurship of growers / producers within the state of Indiana must fall within the below designated categories to be considered for grant funding use and eligibility.

1. All products must be safe and regulated for human consumption and considered edible by local, state, and country law.
2. The entrepreneur or producer of the agricultural commodity must self-produce at least 51% by weight or higher of the ingredients to be included in the final food product.
3. The entire growing and food production operation of the grower / producer must be within the boundaries of the state of Indiana.
4. Due to regulatory and production constraints, products eligible for Phase Three: Product Formulation and Development will fall into the following commodity categories: dairy, vegetables, fruits, corn, soy, and nut products. All products not within the specified commodity categories are welcome to participate in the first two phases of the grant: Phase 1: Online Course Learning and Phase 2: Food Product and Production Environmental Testing Workshop.
5. Products containing controlled substances (including but not limited to alcohol and drugs) will not be accepted for services.
6. Growers and entrepreneurial growers must fill out a form (provided on the first two pages of this document) designating and detailing eligibility of grant funding.
   1. The form must be submitted for review before services or access to resources are given.
7. Every grower / producer is eligible for work on one Phase 3: Product Formulation and Development project at a time.
8. All products not fit for human consumption and not within the product categories outlined above will not be considered for funding covered access to resources and Agricultural Innovation Center services.
   1. Any entrepreneurs, businesses, and/or proposed products that do not fit within the above guidelines may access the Phase 1: Online Course Learning courses through self-paid access and are encouraged to apply to the Food Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing Institute (FEMI) at Purdue University for services relating to fit for human consumption food grade product development, research, and business planning services for the fees outlined by the Institute.

If you meet all of the above legibility requirements, please submit this GRANT ELIGIBILITY FORM to Madison Mehringer at mmehrin@purdue.edu for review and entry into the AIC program. 

FAQ:

Do I need to complete the three phases in order? Yes

Are travel expenses to Purdue covered? No

Are pet treats eligible? No, because regulations for human and pet consumption are different and the grant information will only cover materials applicable to food for human consumption. 

I have a business partner, do we both need to complete Phases 1 and 2 individually? You are both welcome to do Phases 1 and 2 individually, but it is not required.

What do you consider to be certain controlled substances? Why aren't they allowed in Phase 3? Controlled substances would include alcohol and drugs (we are including THC-containing ingredients such as hemp in this). They are not allowed in Phase 3 because that phase includes having the product on Purdue campus property and it is against university regulations.

I understand the controlled substances, but why aren't meat products allowed in Phase 3? Great question! Unfortunately, our production spaces are only FDA compliant, not USDA. So we aren't able to work with meat products for human consumption. Because sensory testing is part of phase 3, we are unable to offer that service for meat products.

Do I have to complete all of the phases? Yes and No. If you wish to have access to resources and materials provided in later phases, then yes, you must complete the phases before the one you wish to access. However, if all of your questions or assistance needs are fulfilled before you complete all three phases there is no requirement to continue to the next phase. 

Are expenses for Phase Three covered under the grant? Services are covered by the grant. However, travel would not be covered. 

Who should I contact with questions? Madison Mehringer mmehrin@purdue.edu