Michigan Craft Beverage Council Now Accepting Research and Education Grant Proposals

Proposals must be received no later than November 10, 2025 at 3 p.m.

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) announced today that it will accept proposals for the 2026 research and education grant program until 3 p.m. (EST) on November 10, 2025.

The MCBC awards individual research grants of up to $40,000. While any research topic will be considered, the MCBC has identified the following funding priorities:

• Climate change impacts affecting Michigan's craft beverage agricultural supply chain, including measures that mitigate damage to crops from climate-related incidents; increase crop resilience and reliability; enhance feasibility of storage and capacity solutions; and promote climate-smart water use practices.
• Regenerative agricultural practices for crops featured in Michigan craft beverage production and end-use market as well as marketing strategies for crops grown with regenerative agriculture principles.
• Crop quality; new varieties and blends (including crop varieties not regularly grown in Michigan); proper handling and growing techniques; and flavor profile analysis for hops, grapes, fruit, small grains, or other agricultural inputs grown in Michigan and used in craft beverage production.
• Increasing use of Michigan agricultural products in craft beverage production through market research, consumer education, utilization strategies, supply chain shifts, capacity building, export markets and/or promoting the value of supporting Michigan-grown.
• Sustainable and innovative packaging methods, including proper quality control and quality assurance methods that maintain or extend the flavor, shelf life and packaging integrity of craft beverages grown and manufactured in Michigan.

The MCBC also awards individual education grants of up to $5,000. These grants are intended to support education efforts that strengthen Michigan's craft beverage industry.

A joint evaluation committee will review all proposals and support requests for research and education grants in December 2025 with funding decisions expected later that month.

Prospective applicants must email proposals and letters of support requests to [email protected] no later than 3 p.m. (EST) on Monday, November 10, 2025. View research and education priorities, grant guidelines and evaluation criteria for both the research and education grant opportunities on MDARD's website. Additional communications concerning this Request for Proposals should be sent to [email protected].

Learn more about the Michigan Craft Beverage Council at michigancraftbeverage.com.

View previously funded research projects on MCBC's research database.

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The Michigan Craft Beverage Council is a 10-member, governor-appointed board that is advisory to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and was established to provide for research, marketing and promotion of Michigan agricultural products that are used in the production of Michigan craft beverages.