Opportunity Information: Apply for RD RBS 26 03 MPPEP
MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish (Phase 3, Round 2) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered through USDA Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. It sits under CFDA 10.381 and is designed to strengthen processing infrastructure by helping eligible processors expand capacity, with this round specifically targeting processors that handle invasive, wild-caught catfish species. The broader MPPEP program focus is to add and improve processing options for producers, and this specific round narrows that focus to building a stronger, more scalable processing sector for invasive catfish, creating additional market pathways and improving the overall economics of harvesting and processing these fish.
The central goal is straightforward: increase processing capacity for invasive, wild-caught catfish and expand the opportunities available in that supply chain. In practice, the solicitation emphasizes projects that lead to lasting, measurable impacts such as higher processing capacity and higher processing volume. It also places clear weight on outcomes that improve the financial picture for both sides of the industry, meaning fishers who supply the catch and processors who convert that supply into sellable products. Alongside capacity and volume, the opportunity highlights job quality and workforce stability, encouraging proposals that support fair wages and create new, stable, and safe jobs within processing facilities. A recurring theme is rural economic development, with the expectation that investments in processing capability can translate into stronger local economies, particularly in rural communities where processing plants and landing infrastructure often sit.
Applicants have a wide range of eligibility options, which suggests the program is meant to be accessible to many types of operators and community-based entities that can execute processing expansion projects. Eligible applicants include for-profit businesses (including small businesses and other for-profit organizations), nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), producer-owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, Tribes and Tribal Entities, and state, county, and local governments. The listing also includes Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments, plus an "Others" category that signals openness to additional legal structures as long as the applicant otherwise fits the program requirements. This breadth aligns with the practical reality that processing expansion can be led by private processors, cooperatives, or public-sector and tribal entities that support regional food and agriculture infrastructure.
From a funding perspective, awards are grants with an award ceiling of $2,000,000 per award, and the agency expects to make about six awards under this notice. The funding opportunity number is RD RBS 26 03 MPPEP, and the title is MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish. The original closing date is December 7, 2026, and the opportunity was created on September 8, 2026. Overall, applicants should read this as a targeted investment opportunity for scaling up invasive catfish processing capacity in ways that boost throughput, strengthen and stabilize jobs, and raise incomes across the harvesting and processing chain while contributing to rural economic development.Apply for RD RBS 26 03 MPPEP
- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.381.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-12-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish (Phase 3, Round 2)?
MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish (Phase 3, Round 2) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by USDA Rural Development through the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. This round specifically targets processors that handle invasive, wild-caught catfish species, with the goal of strengthening and scaling processing capacity in that supply chain.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered through USDA Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
What is the program's main purpose?
The central goal is to increase processing capacity for invasive, wild-caught catfish and expand opportunities across that supply chain. The broader MPPEP program focus is to add and improve processing options for producers, and this specific round narrows that focus to building a stronger, more scalable processing sector for invasive catfish.
What types of outcomes does the solicitation emphasize?
The solicitation places clear emphasis on lasting, measurable impacts, especially outcomes such as higher processing capacity and higher processing volume. It also highlights improvements to the overall economics of harvesting and processing invasive catfish, including better financial outcomes for both fishers and processors.
How does this funding relate to rural economic development?
Rural economic development is a recurring theme of the opportunity. The expectation is that investments in processing capability can translate into stronger local economies, particularly in rural communities where processing plants and landing infrastructure are often located.
Does the opportunity address job quality or workforce issues?
Yes. The opportunity highlights job quality and workforce stability, encouraging proposals that support fair wages and that create new, stable, and safe jobs within processing facilities.
Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity lists a broad range of eligible applicants, including:
- For-profit businesses (including small businesses and other for-profit organizations)
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education)
- Producer-owned cooperatives and corporations
- Certified benefit corporations
- Tribes and Tribal Entities
- State, county, and local governments
- Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments
- Others (indicating openness to additional legal structures if program requirements are met)
Are institutions of higher education eligible as nonprofits?
No. The eligibility description includes 501(c)(3) nonprofits but explicitly excludes institutions of higher education from that nonprofit category.
What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?
The "Others" category signals that the program may be open to additional legal structures beyond those explicitly listed, as long as the applicant otherwise fits the program requirements described in the opportunity.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
This opportunity sits under CFDA 10.381.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is RD RBS 26 03 MPPEP.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $2,000,000 per award.
How many awards does USDA expect to make?
The agency expects to make about six awards under this notice.
What type of funding is this (loan, grant, etc.)?
This opportunity provides grants.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date for this opportunity is December 7, 2026.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on September 8, 2026.
What kinds of projects is this opportunity meant to support?
Based on the description provided, the opportunity is designed to strengthen processing infrastructure by helping eligible processors expand capacity, with this round specifically targeting processors that handle invasive, wild-caught catfish. Projects are expected to support measurable increases in capacity and throughput, strengthen jobs, and improve income/economics across the harvesting and processing chain.
Who benefits from projects funded under this round?
The description indicates benefits are intended for multiple parts of the supply chain, including fishers who supply the catch and processors who convert that supply into sellable products. The broader community may also benefit through rural economic development and stronger local economies.
What is the official title of the opportunity?
The title is MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish.
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