Steward the Wisconsin soybean checkoff to ensure soybean farmers have the tools, markets and research needed to succeed and to improve farmer profitability.
A 2025 grant of $930,124 to the University of Wisconsin Madison stands out as the largest recent award from Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board Inc. The board uses soybean checkoff dollars to fund projects that improve profitability for Wisconsin soybean growers, with grantmaking that reaches research, market development, promotion, education, and new soy uses. Its recent awards show a strong emphasis on soybean agronomy and processing research, alongside investments that build demand for soy in domestic and international markets. University-based research is a major part of that pattern. The board backed North Central Soybean Research Prog with $350,000 in both 2023 and 2025, and it also supported US Soybean Export Council with $119,630 in 2025 for soybean research. On the market side, it funded Clean Fuels Alliance America with $157,260 in 2025 for soybean research and promotion, reflecting its interest in biodiesel and other commercial uses of soy. The board also funds industry groups and applied projects tied to farmer profitability. Recent awards include support for firefighting foam testing, soy awareness programming, conference sponsorships, and biodiesel assessment work. Taken together, the grants point to a funder that combines research, promotion, and product development rather than concentrating on a single type of grant.
Soybean research is the clearest theme in the board’s recent grants. It gave $930,124 to the University of Wisconsin Madison for soybean reseach and $350,000 to North Central Soybean Research Prog for soybean research, indicating sustained support for agronomic and applied research. Market development and new uses are another visible lane. The board awarded $157,260 to Clean Fuels Alliance America for soybean research & promotion, and $53,052 to MEG Corp for biodiesel asessment & development. Both fit its interest in expanding commercial uses for soy. Promotion and industry education also appear in the grant record. It gave $74,300 to American Soybean Association for programs for soy awareness & growth, and $117,500 to Specialty Soy & Grains Alliance LLC for conferences & soy programs. Those grants show support for outreach and convening work, not only research. Several awards connect soy to specialized applications, including $77,311 to Cross Plains Solutions LLC for soy firefighting foam research & testing.
$4.7M
$8.1M
$5.6M
$7.9M
Most grants fall between $23K and $129K, with a median of $60K.
25th Percentile
$23K
Median
$60K
75th Percentile
$129K
About 23% of grants go to recipients in MO.
Jonathan Gibbs
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Typical grants cluster around a median of $59,650, with a lower quartile of $22,500 and an upper quartile of $129,479. The recent record includes both large research awards and smaller sponsorship or education grants, showing a wide spread in checkoff investment size. The pattern also shows repeat funding. North Central Soybean Research Prog received $350,000 in 2023 and again in 2025, while Indigenous Energy Inc received grants in both 2023 and 2025 for WI Biodiesel Assessment. Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board Inc uses a checkoff-funded, board-directed model and also runs annual RFPs that accept unsolicited proposals in several program areas.
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States, and the board gives most often in Iowa. Wisconsin recipients account for 23% of grants, but the recent award list also reaches Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, and Illinois. Examples from the recipient list include Milwaukee, Madison, Ankeny, Chesterfield, Jefferson City, and Mankato. The geography fits a regional funder with a Wisconsin center of gravity and broader Upper Midwest and national partnerships.
Its recent grants support soybean research, market development, promotion, education, and new soy uses. Examples in the record include agronomic research, biodiesel assessment and development, soy firefighting foam testing, conference sponsorships, and ag-in-the-classroom work.
Yes for several active programs. Multiple RFP listings are marked as accepting unsolicited proposals, including the FY26 and FY27 request-for-proposals cycles and research-focused grant rounds.
Recent grants are centered at a median of $59,650, with the 25th percentile at $22,500 and the 75th percentile at $129,479. The recent list includes both six-figure research awards and smaller sponsorship or education grants.
Iowa is the top state by grant count, while Wisconsin recipients make up 23% of grants. The recipient list also includes organizations in Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, and Illinois.
Repeat funding appears in the recent data. North Central Soybean Research Prog received $350,000 in both 2023 and 2025, and Indigenous Energy Inc received support in both years for WI Biodiesel Assessment.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Researchers and institutions conducting applied research that delivers ROI to Wisconsin soybean growers; specific eligibility and priorities published with research RFPs/announcements.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin Madison | Milwaukee, WI | $930,124 | 2025 | Soybean reseach |
| University of Wisconsin Madison | Milwaukee, WI | $751,675 | 2025 | Soybean reseach |
| North Central Soybean Research Prog | Ankeny, IA | $350,000 | 2025 | Soybean research |
| North Central Soybean Research Prog | Ankeny, IA | $350,000 | 2025 | Soybean research |
| Cross Plains Solutions LLC | Dalton, GA | $297,624 | 2025 | Soy firefighting foam research testing |
| Clean Fuels Alliance America | Jefferson City, MO | $297,330 | 2025 | Soybean research promotion |
| Specialty Soy & Grains Alliance LLC | Mankato, MN | $182,500 | 2025 | Conferences soy programs |
| Clean Fuels Alliance America | Jefferson City, MO | $157,260 | 2025 | Soybean research & promotion |
| Quality Roasting Inc | Valders, WI | $150,000 | 2025 | High oleic expelled soybean meal trial |
| American Soybean Association | Saint Louis, MO | $142,300 | 2025 | Programs for soy awareness growth |
| US Soybean Export Council | Chesterfield, MO | $119,630 | 2025 | Soybean Research |
| Specialty Soy & Grains Alliance LLC | Mankato, MN | $117,500 | 2025 | Conferences & soy programs |
| United States Meat Export Federatio | Denver, CO | $90,000 | 2025 | US Pork promotion in Mexico |
| MEG Corp | Minneapolis, MN | $84,043 | 2025 | Biodiesel asessment development |
| Cross Plains Solutions LLC | Dalton, GA | $77,311 | 2025 | Soy firefighting foam research & testing |
| American Soybean Association | Saint Louis, MO | $74,300 | 2025 | Programs for soy awareness & growth |
| Soybean Research & Development Coun | Ankeny, IA | $65,000 | 2025 | Promotion of US soy products |
| WI Soybean Association | Madison, WI | $65,000 | 2025 | Sponsorships |
| United States Meat Export Federatio | Denver, CO | $59,500 | 2025 | Central America Columbia soybean activ |
| US Soybean Export Council | Chesterfield, MO | $56,180 | 2025 | Soybean Research |
| MEG Corp | Minneapolis, MN | $53,052 | 2025 | Biodiesel asessment & development |
| WI Soybean Association | Madison, WI | $45,000 | 2025 | Sponsorships |
| Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation In | Madison, WI | $43,081 | 2025 | Ag in the classroom |
| Education Projects & Partnerships L | Columbus, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | Support soybean research education |
| Education Projects & Partnerships L | Columbus, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | Support soybean research & education |
| Indigenous Energy Inc | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | WI Biodiesel Assessment |
| Agricultural Utilization Research | Crookston, MN | $11,425 | 2025 | Soybean research |
| Wisconsin Biomass Energy Coalition | Madison, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | Soybean research |
| Indigenous Energy Inc | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | WI Biodiesel Assessment |
| Agricultural Utilization Research | Crookston, MN | $5,775 | 2025 | Soybean research |
| Missouri Soybean Merchandising Coun | Jefferson City, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | USSGC Funding |
| Iowa Soybean Association | Ankeny, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | Soybean meal information center |
| Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation In | Madison, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | Ag in the classroom |
| University of Wisconsin Madison | Milwaukee, WI | $671,705 | 2023 | Soybean reseach |
| North Central Soybean Research Prog | Ankeny, IA | $350,000 | 2023 | Soybean research |
| Specialty Soy & Grains Alliance LLC | Mankato, MN | $135,000 | 2023 | Conferences & soy programs |
| Clean Fuels Alliance America | Jefferson City, MO | $132,762 | 2023 | Soybean research & promotion |
| American Soybean Association | Saint Louis, MO | $54,300 | 2023 | Programs for soy awareness & growth |
| WI Soybean Association | Madison, WI | $35,000 | 2023 | Corn Soy Expo Sponsorship |
| US Soybean Export Council | Chesterfield, MO | $33,856 | 2023 | Soybean Research |
| MEG Corp | Minneapolis, MN | $30,836 | 2023 | Biodiesel asessment & development |
| Indigenous Energy Inc | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | WI Biodiesel Assessment |
| NHS Global Events | Chicago, IL | $8,000 | 2023 | Soy connect sponsorship |
University of Wisconsin Madison
$930,124Soybean reseach
University of Wisconsin Madison
$751,675Soybean reseach
North Central Soybean Research Prog
$350,000Soybean research
North Central Soybean Research Prog
$350,000Soybean research
Cross Plains Solutions LLC
$297,624Soy firefighting foam research testing
Clean Fuels Alliance America
$297,330Soybean research promotion
Specialty Soy & Grains Alliance LLC
$182,500Conferences soy programs
Clean Fuels Alliance America
$157,260Soybean research & promotion
Quality Roasting Inc
$150,000High oleic expelled soybean meal trial
American Soybean Association
$142,300Programs for soy awareness growth
US Soybean Export Council
$119,630Soybean Research
Specialty Soy & Grains Alliance LLC
$117,500Conferences & soy programs
MEG Corp
$84,043Biodiesel asessment development
Cross Plains Solutions LLC
$77,311Soy firefighting foam research & testing
American Soybean Association
$74,300Programs for soy awareness & growth
Soybean Research & Development Coun
$65,000Promotion of US soy products
WI Soybean Association
$65,000Sponsorships
US Soybean Export Council
$56,180Soybean Research
MEG Corp
$53,052Biodiesel asessment & development
WI Soybean Association
$45,000Sponsorships
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation In
$43,081Ag in the classroom
Education Projects & Partnerships L
$30,000Support soybean research education
Education Projects & Partnerships L
$30,000Support soybean research & education
Indigenous Energy Inc
$20,000WI Biodiesel Assessment
Agricultural Utilization Research
$11,425Soybean research
Wisconsin Biomass Energy Coalition
$10,000Soybean research
Indigenous Energy Inc
$10,000WI Biodiesel Assessment
Agricultural Utilization Research
$5,775Soybean research
Missouri Soybean Merchandising Coun
$5,000USSGC Funding
Iowa Soybean Association
$5,000Soybean meal information center
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation In
$5,000Ag in the classroom
University of Wisconsin Madison
$671,705Soybean reseach
North Central Soybean Research Prog
$350,000Soybean research
Specialty Soy & Grains Alliance LLC
$135,000Conferences & soy programs
Clean Fuels Alliance America
$132,762Soybean research & promotion
American Soybean Association
$54,300Programs for soy awareness & growth
WI Soybean Association
$35,000Corn Soy Expo Sponsorship
US Soybean Export Council
$33,856Soybean Research
MEG Corp
$30,836Biodiesel asessment & development
Indigenous Energy Inc
$10,000WI Biodiesel Assessment
NHS Global Events
$8,000Soy connect sponsorship
