The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has opened the application process for biofuel blending infrastructure grant funding under its Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation Program.

The AGRI Biofuel Blending Infrastructure Grant Program provides funding for biofuel blending infrastructure equipment with the goal of promoting economic growth and environmentally friendly practices in Minnesota’s biofuel industries. MDA states that qualifying projects should target development of new or enhanced markets that improve biofuel blending outcomes, such as increasing sales or providing greater access to biofuels.

The department expects to award a total of $650,000 in fiscal year 2019. Grant recipients can use the funding to cover up to 35 percent of project costs. The maximum possible award is $199,000.

Eligible entities—including for-profit businesses, local units of government and Native American tribal communities—must be based in Minnesota and be biofuel producers, petroleum fuel blenders or distributors, or businesses at which blending and supplying fuel is integral to operations.

Applications are due by 4:00 pm Central time April 5.

For more information, including access to the full request for proposal and the online application, click here.