The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), in collaboration with the Horse Racing Advisory Commission (HRAC), administers the Equine Grant Program to support Michigan’s equine industry. The program was established under the Horse Racing Law of 1995 and aims to foster the promotion and sustainability of horse racing and related equine programs across the state. With total funding of up to $125,000 available for the 2026 fiscal year, this grant targets a range of projects that directly or indirectly benefit Michigan’s horse racing community.
Funding under this program can be used for various purposes including the promotion and marketing of horse racing, conducting equine-related research, supporting aftercare programs, and facilitating other eligible equine initiatives. There are no matching fund requirements, and the grant operates as a cost-reimbursement program. Applicants must have been in operation for at least two years, be in good standing with the State of Michigan, and must have submitted all required reports from any previous grant cycles.
To apply, organizations must complete a designated application form provided by MDARD, ensuring all required sections are filled and signed. The application must also include a verification letter, and where possible, supporting vendor quotes. While not mandatory, a letter of recommendation from a member of the HRAC can be submitted to strengthen the proposal. Proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF or Word format to the specified email address.
Proposals are evaluated through a competitive process that includes review by a Joint Evaluation Committee (JEC) and final approval by the HRAC. Evaluation criteria include relevance to the Michigan horse racing industry, clearly defined project purpose and goals, expected outcomes, impact potential, detailed work plans, budget quality, and long-term sustainability. Projects are scored on a 100-point scale with each category weighted differently.
The application window for the 2026 cycle opens in January 2026 and closes at 5:00 PM EST on February 27, 2026. Projects selected for funding will run from May 2026 through August 31, 2027. Interim reports are due by October 5, 2026, and final reports are expected by September 30, 2027. Award announcements will be made in April 2026. Emergency funding is also allocated separately for critical and unforeseen situations affecting the equine industry, with details to be provided on the HRAC website.
Highlight the measurable impact of the project on Michigan’s horse racing industry; align proposal with scoring criteria like relevance, sustainability, and community impact.
