Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives Program (DBI) Fiscal Year 2026

What the official notice requires

Pulled from the official notice FY2026_DBI_Notice_of_Funding_Opportunity.pdf (23 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.

Registrations you need first (3)

• Grants.gov · p. 4

  “December 1, 2026, through Grants.gov at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. 1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The U.S.” Open page 4

• SAM.gov, Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 6

  “To submit your application electronically in Grants.gov, you must: o Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); o Be registered in SAM.gov; o Provide your UEI number and TIN on your application; and o Maintain an active…” Open page 6

• Login.gov · p. 18

  “Applicants are required to use Login.gov to sign into Grants.gov.” Open page 18

Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist

What to submit

• Form SF-424 · p. 5

  “The applicant must indicate the start date and end date on Block 17 of the SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance.” Each initiative is eligible to apply for the eligible funding and for the period of performance indicated in the tables below.” Open page 5

• Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 12

  “Applicants with a NICRA must apply their approved NICRA rate.” Open page 12

• Form SF-424A · p. 15

  “The SF-424A is available via the application package in Grants.gov.” Open page 15

• Letters of support or commitment · p. 17

  “AMS will not accept unsigned letters or letters emailed separately. 4.6 LETTERS OF COMMITMENT FROM PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS Required:” Open page 17

Length limits

• Page limit (see quote): 35 pages max · p. 16

  “For example, if the form is 15 pages before you begin entering your project information, your form may be up to 35 pages (15 original pages + 20 pages of applicant content).” Open page 16

• Page limit (see quote): 20 pages max · p. 16

  “The supporting documents listed below do not count toward the 20-page limit. 4.5 LETTERS OF VERIFICATION FOR COST SHARE Required.” Open page 16

Formatting rules

• 11-point font, single-spaced · p. 16

  “The Project Narrative must be typed and single-spaced in an 11-point font, not to exceed twenty (20) 8.5 x 11 pages (excluding existing project narrative form content).” Open page 16

Cost share or match

• Cost share / match · p. 5

  “This year’s applications must include a mandatory cost share from non-Federal sources in the form of cash and/or in-kind contributions equal to 25 percent of the amount of Federal funds being requested.” Open page 5

• Cost share / match · p. 5

  “A 25 percent cost share of federal funds requested is required.” Open page 5

• Cost share / match · p. 8

  “Applicants are required to show evidence of existing community or industry support and engagement. 2.3 COST SHARING REQUIR EMENTS This funding opportunity requires recipients to fund their projects, in part, with cost sharing funds from non- Federal sources…” Open page 8

Dates in the notice

• September 30, 2026 · p. 1

  “September 30, 2026 Application Due Date: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on December 1, 2026” Open page 1

• December 1, 2026 · p. 6

  “Grants.gov Resources for Support: o Applicant FAQs o Workspace Overview By following these steps and recommendations, applicants can reduce errors, meet deadlines, and ensure compliance with submission requirements. 1.6 TIMING TO OBTAIN & SUBMIT GRANTS.GOV…” Open page 6

Mistakes that get applications rejected (4)

• Sent the wrong way or format: Boxes will not be accepted. · p. 14

  “Boxes will not be accepted.” Open page 14

• Sent the wrong way or format: Handwritten applications or applications submitted in MS Word will not be accepted. · p. 16

  “Handwritten applications or applications submitted in MS Word will not be accepted.” Open page 16

• Sent the wrong way or format: Handwritten applications or applications in MS Word will not be accepted. · p. 16

  “Handwritten applications or applications in MS Word will not be accepted.” Open page 16

• Not registered in time: Applicants without a current SAM.gov registration will be rejected. 4. · p. 19

  “Applicants without a current SAM.gov registration will be rejected. 4.” Open page 19