Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grants
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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:
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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.
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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:
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Round 1 – Equipment Only: Funding for aquaculture equipment available on a rolling first-come, first-served basis (now closed), and
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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.
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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.
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Aquaculture Infrastructure Grants
Application period opens: November 3, 2025
Application deadline: January 5, 2026
Projects must be completed by December 31, 2029.
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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.
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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:
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Expansion of aquaculture production capabilities, aggregation, processing and distribution capabilities
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Operational efficiency improvements
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Increasing cold storage capacity
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Improving food safety standards for processing facilities
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Expanding cold distribution volume and/or mileage radius
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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.
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Estimated Funding Timeline
Infrastructure Grant Timeline
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RFA Opened: November 3, 2025
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Applications Close: January 5, 2026
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Awarding: to be announced, spring 2026
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Projects must be completed by December 31, 2029
Grant Amount
At least $3 million will be available to eligible applicants through the Infrastructure funding.
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Maximum award is $250,000. Applicants may not request more than this per project.
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Minimum award is $100,000. Applicants must request at least this much per project.
There will be no Match Requirement.
Interested in Applying? Take these Steps:
Please check back on November 3rd for instructions on how to apply
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To Apply:
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Review the RFA for the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program on November 3rd when the opportunity is released.
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Resources
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:
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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/
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Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LIREDC) – Review the LIREDC strategic plan and see if your project could fit with the Natural Assets and Tourism goals. If so, you could apply for capital funding via the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/long-island
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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
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Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant RFA
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RFA en español
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Frequently Asked Questions: Coming Soon
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Open Business Hours: to be announced
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For questions, please email us at bluefoods@ffgrowthfund.org
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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.
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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.
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For questions, please email us at BlueFoods@ffgrowthfund.org
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