MDARD Equine Grant Program

The 2025 Equine Grant Program is administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with the Horse Racing Advisory Commission. Created under the Horse Racing Law of 1995, this initiative aims to strengthen Michigan's equine industry by promoting horse racing and supporting related activities and infrastructure statewide. This grant offers a total of $125,000 in funding for Fiscal Year 2025 and supports a wide range of equine-related projects. Eligible uses include marketing, research, aftercare programs, and other horse racing or equine-support efforts. The program is structured as a cost-reimbursement grant, requiring applicants to initially front the costs and later submit documentation for reimbursement. To qualify, applicants must be in operation for at least two years, be in good standing with the State of Michigan, and must have submitted prior grant reports if applicable. Applicants can be for-profit, nonprofit, or local government entities. Each must include a verification letter proving the individual signing the application is an authorized agent. The project duration runs from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The application requires detailed inputs, including a summary of the project, a work plan with timelines, a budget narrative justifying expenses, and a commitment statement listing all stakeholders. Applicants must also complete an organizational capacity survey to demonstrate readiness to execute the project. Applications are due by June 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST and must be submitted in PDF format to MDARD-Equine@michigan.gov. If confirmation is not received within 48 hours, applicants are instructed to call 517-285-8463. Recipients will be announced in August 2025, with interim reports due February 15, 2026, and final reports due by October 5, 2026. Performance metrics will be defined post-award. Applicants are expected to comply with data collection and reporting requirements as outlined in the final grant agreement.