Maryland's Animal Waste Technology Fund (AWTF) has entered the final phase of its Fiscal Year 2023 grant review process. Following a review of six pre-proposals submitted to the department by the October 21, 2022 deadline, four high-ranking projects have been invited to submit full grant proposals to the department by December 30, 2022. The Request for Proposals at right can provide additional details and instructions.

​Established in 2013, the Animal Waste Technology Fund provides grants to individuals, vendors, and businesses to demonstrate proven innovative technologies to manage animal waste in Maryland. These technologies may reduce the amount of nutrients in animal waste, change the product form or function for alternative uses, or produce energy and other marketable products and by-products from the waste. Technologies in the research and development stage are not eligible for this grant.

Maryland and the other Chesapeake Bay watershed states are working to meet federally mandated nutrient and sediment reduction goals needed to restore the health of the ​Bay by 2025. Maryland farmers play a crucial role in helping the State meet its nutrient reduction goals. 

To help farmers protect waterways from excess nutrients and remain profitable, Maryland invests in innovative technologies that support new uses for animal waste such as alternative product development and manure-to-energy projects that add value to the farm business model.

Maryland’s Animal Waste Technology Fund has approximately $3.3 million available to invest in innovative technologies during the Fiscal Year 2023, which ends June 30, 2023. Funding support is provided by the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. Vendors, businesses, and individuals are invited to respond to this grant request.