Oklahoma Viticulture and Enology Fund

The Oklahoma Viticulture and Enology Fund is a competitive grant program administered by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. It is designed to support the growth and advancement of Oklahoma’s grape and wine industries. Established using state-collected tax revenues from wine sales, this fund reflects the state’s commitment to developing its viticulture and enology sectors. The fund targets projects that can enhance scientific understanding, promote product innovation, support growers and winemakers, or increase public awareness and tourism related to Oklahoma-produced wine and grapes. The primary focus of the grant program includes four eligible categories: scientific research, education, product development, and marketing. Projects in these areas must aim to deliver tangible benefits to the viticulture and enology industries across the state. Allowable uses include developing educational programs or materials for grape growers and winemakers, conducting research into grape or wine production, creating new wine or grape product lines, or implementing marketing strategies to boost awareness and sales. Projects may last up to two years and can be renewed once for an additional year, though no additional funding will be provided during a renewal. Funding is provided strictly on a reimbursement basis, contingent on the submission and approval of appropriate documentation. The grant awards a maximum of $50,000 per project. Indirect costs are not allowable under this program. All applicants are required to submit proposals that are typed, single-spaced in 12-point font, and the full application packet must not exceed 18 pages (excluding letters of support). Required support letters include either a letter from the Oklahoma Grape Industry Council or letters from at least three separate Oklahoma-based vineyards or wineries. These letters must accompany the application at submission. Only specific types of organizations are eligible to apply: institutions of higher education within Oklahoma, state agencies or governmental subdivisions within Oklahoma, and trade groups that promote grape and wine production within the state. Individual growers or businesses are explicitly excluded from applying. All applications must clearly define the project's purpose, the specific issue it aims to address, its anticipated outcomes, and the methods that will be used to measure performance and success. A strong emphasis is placed on delivering measurable outcomes that demonstrate a clear benefit to the industry. Applications will be reviewed by an external committee. Proposals must be submitted electronically in either MS Word or PDF format by the deadline of 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Digital signatures are accepted. Submissions that do not meet the deadline or application requirements will not be considered. The contact for submission is Jason Harvey, Grants Coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, & Forestry, who can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (405) 606-1477. This program is recurring annually, with submissions generally expected to follow a similar timeline each year. Based on the August 20, 2024 deadline and the program’s described structure, applicants can anticipate the next cycle to open in August 2025, with internal planning advised by July of each year.