FRESNO, CALIF. — The Pacific Coast Coalition - Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (PCC-DBII) opened the application process for its fifth round of grants, sharing that $1.5 million in funds are available.

West Coast dairy processors in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington may apply for the grants.

PCC-DBII said it anticipates awarding six to 10 grants, worth up to $250,000 apiece. The organization especially encouraged first-time applicants to submit proposals.

PCC-DBII said eligible projects for this round should involve modernizing, specializing, expanding, investigating or marketing the use of milk for higher-value products. The organization added that such projects include improving or adding value chain and commodity innovation, as well as facility process updates that add dairy product development, packaging and marketing.

Applications may be submitted through Sept. 30, and PCC-DBII said grant winners should expect to have access to the funds by Dec. 2.

California State University, Fresno hosts PCC-DBII, which is funded via the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

More details on the grants and applications are available online at the PCC-DBII website.