Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program FY 2026

The Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program (SPMGP) for Fiscal Year 2026, administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, provides competitive grants to enhance the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products in the United States. The program focuses on improving infrastructure, business and resource development, and creating innovative solutions for long-term industry needs. Approximately 2.4 million dollars is available, with award amounts ranging from 25,000 to 150,000 dollars for short-duration projects of 24 months, and 1 million to 2.4 million dollars for long-duration projects of 36 months. Selected national entities are responsible for providing management and expertise while administering a competitive subaward program to support projects across a broad geographic area. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by October 2, 2026, and require a UEI, TIN, and active SAM registration. The evaluation process involves a three-stage review consisting of an initial screening for compliance, a technical review by independent peer reviewers, and a final administrative risk assessment. Scoring is based on technical merit and expertise (40 points), alignment and intent (30 points), and fiscal plan and performance accountability (30 points). Required documentation includes the SF-424, a project narrative in PDF format not exceeding 15 pages, and letters of commitment from all partners. Recipients must comply with 2 CFR Part 200, USDA General Terms and Conditions, and federal non-discrimination laws, and are required to designate a Project Coordinator and attend an AMS sponsored grants management meeting.