Grants for Food and Beverage Guidebook
What you need to get started with Food & Beverage grants

Summary

• Basic application requirements are different for each grant, but there are some trends for each type. The larger the funding, the more information the program will ask for.
• Make sure to read the applicant guide to understand what information is required.
• Stay organized during your application process and keep track of all expenses related to your project from the start!

Ready to get started with Food & Beverage grants and securing some free money? Before you get going, there’s some key information you will need to know. In all grant applications, regardless of type, an applicant needs to provide some key details about their business to prove eligibility and be considered for funding. In any case, it is important to get organized early to make the application process go as smoothly as possible. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a list of necessary documents for each grant type in the Food & Beverage industry. 

What you need to apply for hiring grants

• Business license 
• Registered business number
• Job description that emphasizes the job’s connection to the Food & Beverage sector
• Resume highlighting the candidate’s credentials and/or aspirations

What you need to apply for training grants

• Business license
• Overview of the training course 
• Course outline 
• NAICS code (this is good to know as it comes up often with grant applications)

What you need to apply for market expansion grants

• Business license
• Business plan or export plan
• Marketing strategy
• NAICS code

What you need to apply for R&D grants

• Business license
• Project proposal
• Company financials 
• NAICS code

Note that everything listed above is a basic requirement for each type of grant, funders are sure to ask for additional information that is relevant to the program and will help them to determine if your business is suitable for funding. Grants for a large-scale project or export development, such as R&D grants and market expansion grants, will often as for competitive analysis documents, letters of support from project stakeholders, proof of financing, and/or pitch decks. 

Finally, when you are in the application process, make sure to keep careful records of all expenses and invoices related to your project. Organization is key! This will ensure that you make a good impression on the program’s officers and it will increase your likelihood of securing funding for future projects. In most cases, the program will provide reporting templates for you to use to keep track of all the required documentation