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, 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:

• Round 1 – Equipment Only: Funding for aquaculture equipment available on a rolling first-come, first-served basis, and

• Round 2 – Infrastructure Projects: Funding for aquaculture infrastructure in a single request for proposal process.

 

The purpose of this request for applications is to solicit applications for Round 1 – Equipment Only. Funds provided by this grant are intended for the private sector and will be used to invest in new equipment to replace or introduce new practices in hatcheries, production, harvest, processing, and transport for farmed marine products to support their operations and growth.

Grants are available to applicants in Long Island.

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Aquaculture Equipment Only Grants
Application period opens: August 4, 2025
Application deadline: January 15, 2026 – unless funds are exhausted prior to closing dates

Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until funds for this purpose are exhausted. 

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Aquaculture Infrastructure Grants
Application period opens: To be announced
Application deadline: To be announced

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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:

• Expansion of aquaculture production capabilities

• Operational efficiency improvements

• Increasing cold storage capacity

• Improving food safety standards for processing facilities

• Expanding cold distribution volume and/or mileage radius

• Other purposes deemed necessary to further opportunities for aquaculture producers and hatcheries to grow and/or store their products.

Round 1 funding is for equipment and supplies only. Round 2 funding will include infrastructure upgrades, including construction, renovation, and installed fixtures (e.g., walk-in cooler, ice machine).
 

Estimated Funding Timeline

Equipment-Only Grant Timeline - Rolling Basis

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• RFA Opened: August 4, 2025

• Applications considered for first round of funding: September 15, 2025, and the 15th of every subsequent month

• RFA closes: January 15, 2026 – unless funds are exhausted prior to closing dates

• Application Website: https://ffgf.smapply.us/res/p/Home-Page  

• Virtual Open Office Hours: Friday. August 8. 2025, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

• Anticipated Awards: rolling, first-come, first-served basis through January 2026 – unless funds are exhausted prior to closing dates

• Projects must be completed within six (6) months of execution of the grant agreement
   

Grant Amount

At least $1.2 million will be available to eligible applicants through the Equipment Only funding.

• Maximum award is $99,999. Applicants may not request more than this per project.

• Minimum award is $25,000. Applicants must request at least this much per project.
   

There will be no Match Requirement.
 

Eligibility

• Long Island, NY based aquaculture producers and growers

  • For the purposes of this grant program, a producer and grower is defined as a person in the State of New York who is engaged in the for-profit cultivation and production of aquaculture products.

  • Aquaculture products include fish, fish products, water plants and shellfish (as defined in AGM Law § 301).

• Long Island, NY based aquaculture hatchery businesses

  • For the purposes of this grant program, a New York State aquaculture hatchery business is a for-profit business that grows and sells aquaculture products.

• Trade Associations and Tribal Governments representing a group of Long Island, NY based aquaculture producers and growers

  • Group applicants must justify the project based on collective benefit to producers and growers. No business may be involved in more than one proposal for the equipment only round. For example, if a member of a is included in a trade association’s proposal they cannot submit an individual proposal as well. Applicants must select only one project in which to participate.

 

Applicants must produce aquaculture products in New York State and must comply with all Federal and New York State laws and regulations.

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An eligible application will show the following:

1. The reason that the business’s existing equipment and systems do not meet their current needs, and how this grant project is both timely and necessary for the business to succeed.

2. The project is part of a proactive plan for future operation and continued business viability, with measurable results.

3. The project will have significant positive impacts on applicant’s business.

4. The business is a reliable producer and is in good standing with its buyers as demonstrated in the letter of support from a buyer.

5. Applicant demonstrates an awareness and readiness to implement the activities described, through quotes, plans, letters of support etc.

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What Is Eligible?

Funding is available for purchase and delivery of equipment and supplies to support aquaculture growers, including but not limited to:

Shellfish

• Water-based Items: Diving gear, bottom cages, floating cages, trays, racks, bags, nets, baskets, buoys, anchors, Aqua purses, cross ties, cables

• Land-based Items: Tumblers, sorting machines, counting and bagging machines, washing machines, winches, haulers

Kelp

• Mooring and ground tackle, mooring balls, mooring chains, ropes and long lines, depth maintenance systems (droppers, buoys, etc.)

Cold Chain Distribution

• Vehicles equipped with mechanical refrigeration for distribution of aquaculture products

  • Title with no liens, registration, and insurance will be required for reimbursement

• Mechanical refrigeration equipment to retrofit owned vehicles for distribution of aquaculture products

 

Equipment and supplies not specified on the above lists will be considered, if justified and determined eligible by the advisory committee conducting eligibility review for each application.

 

Equipment (items over $5,000 per unit) must be supported by a current quote or estimate. Supplies include items costing less than $5,000 per unit.

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Ineligible Activities

Municipal Governments, Educational Institutions, and Non-profits will be ineligible.

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Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Projects not primarily operating on or around Long Island, NY

• Projects not in operation at the time of submission

• Personnel and fringe expenses

• Boats, including engines

• Construction

• Travel expenses, including that pertaining to equipment acquisition

• Training expenses, including for the use of new equipment or otherwise

• Expenses paid by the applicant before the start of the grant period

• Land leases

• Equipment leases

• Normal operating costs

• Installation of fixed equipment
   

Interested in Applying? Take these Steps:

1.      Read the full RFA to learn about the application process and what you will be required to submit with your application.

2.      Gather documentation listed in the RFA to be submitted with your application such as letters of support, letters of commitment, most recent passing operation inspection documentation, and any cost quotations as needed.

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To Apply:

• Review the RFP for the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program.

• Visit https://ffgf.smapply.us/res/p/Home-Page

• If you do not already have an account with FFGF, set up an account by using the Register button in the top right-hand corner of the page. Reference the How to Create an Account on Survey Monkey guide below.

• Select the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure program and proceed to begin your application.

• You are not required to complete the application process in a single sitting. The form enables you to save your progress and resume at a later time or date from where you left off. It's important to note that none of your saved responses are final until you officially submit your application, allowing you to make changes or edits as needed.

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Resources

• Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Equipment Only Grant RFA

• How to Guide for Applying

• How to Create an Account on Survey Monkey

• Step by Step Video: How to Complete the Application

• Frequently Asked Questions

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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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