MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish
Grants support projects that expand processing capacity for invasive wild-caught catfish, create more processing volume and jobs, and improve incomes and economic development in rural communities for eligible processors and related entities.
RESTRICTED TO: STATE LOCAL GOV · TRIBAL ENTITIES · NONPROFITS
⚑ Program is aimed at processors of invasive wild-caught catfish, with funding for expanding processing facilities/capacity rather than research. · Eligible applicant classes are broad, but university applicants would need to fit the sponsor's business/entity eligibility language; notice does not explicitly mention universities. · Award ceiling is $2,000,000. · Rural Business-Cooperative Service program.
This is a rural agriculture/processing-capacity grant centered on construction, equipment, and seafood processing operations. It does not match IPPRA’s social-science lines in risk, public opinion, education policy, or weather/disaster communication, so this team would very unlikely pursue it as PI-level research.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-09-08
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 50 partial | technical depth: substantial; funds construction equipment (capped) |
| IPPRA | 43 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: environment; signature methods: policy analysis; social/behavioral work is minor; funds construction equipment — not a research fit |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 25 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
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.
Eligibility
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
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Nancy D Pletcher Business Loan and Grant Analyst <mppep@usda.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · USDA NIFA conventions SEE A USDA EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — USDA NIFA's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.