Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)). 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘plant protein product’ means a 
protein product made from a plant (such as a vege-
table, bean, or legume), fungi, or other nonanimal 
source of protein. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘plant protein producer’ means a 
producer of a plant protein product or any processed 
or manufactured product thereof. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
and the amendments made by this section $25,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.’’. 
SEC. 16. PLANT-BASED FOOD INNOVATION INITIATIVES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall select 
not fewer than 5 eligible entities to host regionally located 
plant-based food product and business innovation initia-
tives for the purposes of— 
(1) diversifying product markets to reduce risk 
and developing higher-value use for such products; 
(2) promoting business development that diver-
sifies the income of producers of plant-based food 
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products through processing and market innovation; 
and 
(3) encouraging the production and use of 
plant-based food products and domestic ingredients 
for such products. 
(b) ENTITIES ELIGIBLE TO HOST INITIATIVE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), an 
entity is eligible to host an initiative under sub-
section (a) if such entity is a State department of 
agriculture or other State entity, a nonprofit organi-
zation, or an institution of higher education (as de-
fined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that has— 
(A) a capacity to provide consultation and 
expertise necessary to advance the purpose and 
activities of the proposed initiative; and 
(B) expertise in grant distribution and 
tracking. 
(2) 
INELIGIBLE
ENTITY.—Notwithstanding 
paragraph (1), an animal protein checkoff program 
shall not be eligible to host an initiative under sub-
section (a). 
(3) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity seeking to 
host an initiative under subsection (a) shall submit 
to the Secretary an application in such time, in such 
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manner, and containing such information as the Sec-
retary may specify. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—An entity that hosts an initia-
tive shall consult with the Secretary, and the Adminis-
trator of the Agricultural Marketing Service in carrying 
out the initiative. 
(d) PARTNERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An entity eligible to host an 
initiative under subsection (a) may, for purposes of 
hosting such initiative, partner with an organization 
or entity with expertise or experience in proteins, in-
cluding the marketing, research, education, or pro-
motion of plant-based food product. 
(2) TIMING.—A partnership established pursu-
ant to paragraph (1) may be established— 
(A) prior to the submission of the applica-
tion under subsection (d); or 
(B) after approval of the application, in 
consultation with the Secretary. 
(e) ACTIVITIES OF INITIATIVES.— 
(1) ASSISTANCE
TO
PRODUCERS
OF
PLANT- 
BASED FOOD PRODUCTS.— 
(A) DIRECT
ASSISTANCE.—An initiative 
established under subsection (a) shall provide 
directly to producers of plant-based food prod-
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ucts assistance through private consultation or 
widely available distribution. Such assistance 
may be provided— 
(i) by the entity that hosts the initia-
tive under subsection (d)(1); 
(ii) through contracting with industry 
experts; 
(iii) through the provision of technical 
assistance, such as informational websites, 
webinars, conferences, trainings, plant 
tours, and field days; 
(iv) through research institutions; or 
(v) through workforce development 
programs. 
(B) GRANTS.—An initiative may provide a 
grant on a noncompetitive basis to an entity 
that receives assistance under subparagraph (A) 
to advance the business activities recommended 
as a result of that assistance. 
(2) TYPES
OF
ASSISTANCE.—Assistance pro-
vided by an initiative established under subsection 
(a) may include— 
(A) business consulting, including business 
plan development for plant-based food products, 
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strategic planning assistance, and distribution 
and supply chain innovation; 
(B) marketing and branding assistance, in-
cluding market messaging, packaging innova-
tion, consumer assessments, innovation in 
emerging market opportunities, and evaluation 
of regional, national, and international markets; 
(C) assistance in product innovation, in-
cluding the development of value-added prod-
ucts, innovation in byproduct reprocessing and 
use maximization, and product production 
training, including in new, rare, or innovative 
techniques; and 
(D) other assistance, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(3) GRANTS TO PLANT-BASED FOOD PRODUCT 
BUSINESSES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—An initiative shall pro-
vide grants on a competitive basis to new and 
existing producers of plant-based food products 
developing plant-based food products for the 
purpose of— 
(i) modernization, specialization, and 
transition of equipment and facilities; 
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