SPARK AND INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE AWARDS
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub fosters collaborations that nourish students, connect schools with local farms and businesses, and celebrate our region’s cultures and communities.
The 2025 Spark Award application opening has been paused. We will provide updates as soon as possible. Additional grant cycles will continue through 2028. Additional grant cycles will continue through 2028.
We hope to hear from local and regional food system leaders across Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana — especially in areas that don’t have equitable access to resources.
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: More information to come
Final Application Deadline: More information to come
Missing Materials Deadline: More information to come
Project Timeline: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
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: $250,000
Grant Cycle: 2.5 years
Project Timeline: August 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
Photo Courtesy of MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
2025 GRANT TIMELINE
- Application Preparation:
- Connect with your State Lead and visit our support for applicants page.
- Application Opens:
- More information to come
- Application Deadline:
- More information to come
- Missing Materials Deadline:
- More information to come
- Award Notification:
- More information to come
- Project Start Date:
- More information to come
Upcoming Grant Cycles
2024-2026 (APPLICATIONS CLOSED)
2024-2026 (APPLICATIONS CLOSED)
2026-2028
2026-2028
2024-2025 (APPLICATIONS CLOSED)
2025-2026
2026-2027
2027-2028
GET INSPIRED
Our case studies and other resources can spark ideas and start conversations.