SPARK AND INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE AWARDS
Grant Applications for 2025 Awards Are Now Open
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub fosters collaborations that nourish students, connect schools with local farms and businesses, and reflect our region’s families and communities.
Applications for the 2025 Spark and Innovation Collaborative Awards are now open! The deadline to apply is January 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST.
We hope to hear from local and regional food system leaders across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
SPARK AWARDS
Spark Awards fund projects that need a short-term infusion of funds for school food system and marketplace improvements, such as capacity-building, planning, and product testing projects.
Award Range: $30,000 – $100,000
Grant Cycle: One year, with optional 4-month extension period
Application opens: October 15, 2025
Final Application Deadline: January 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
Missing Materials Deadline: February 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
Project Timeline: 2026-2027
INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE
AWARDS
Innovation Collaborative Awards fund projects that promote systems-level change of the school food system and marketplace, such as scaling up of programs, regional partnerships, or new program or product development and integration.
Award Range: $250,000–$500,000
Grant Cycle: 2- 2.5 years
Application opens: October 15, 2025
Final Application Deadline: January 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
Missing Materials Deadline: February 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
Project Timeline: 2026-2028
Photo Courtesy of MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
2025-2026 GRANT TIMELINE
Application Preparation:
Connect with your State Lead and visit our support for applicants page.
Application Opens:
October 15, 2025
Application Deadline:
January 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
Missing Materials Deadline:
February 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
Award Notification:
Early Summer 2026
Project Start Date:
Early Summer 2026
Grant Cycles
2024-2026 (Applications Closed)
2026-2028
NOW OPEN
2024-2025
(Applications Closed)
2026-2027
NOW OPEN
2027-2028
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