Grants & Internships
Internships
In partnership with the California Dairy industry, CDIC offers internships throughout the year to students enrolled in California educational institutions at the junior, senior or graduate level, majoring in relevant disciplines. These internships can offer hands-on, career-relevant experience to students with on-site supervision and mentoring, encompass a Senior Project, or provide guidance and support for an Incubator or Entrepreneurial project. Students receive a certificate upon satisfactory completion. Student may receive a stipend or academic credit.
CDIC internships focus on students with a wide variety of cultural and educational backgrounds including students enrolled in food science, dairy science, food engineering, applied sciences, agribusiness, agri-tourism, engineering, packaging research and design programs.
Additional internships may also be offered through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative and through other grants, which feature specific requirements and benefits. Contact us to learn more about current offerings.
Some of our Processor Partners are:
- Dairy Farmers of America: www.dfamilk.com/careers
- Hilmar Cheese: www.hilmar.com/careers
- Hilmar 2026 Internship Program
- Leprino Foods: www.leprinofoods.com/careers/
- Lactalis: http://lactalisamericangroup.com/careers
- http://lactalisheritagedairy.com/careers
Contact nvanbuskirk@cmab.net for more information about our complete internship program.
Student Teams and Entrepreneurs’ Incubator Program
CDIC offers resources to help bring bright ideas and innovative concepts to commercialization stage.
Research and Applications Grants
CDIC offers co-funding for primary research for undergraduate (senior projects) and graduate students enrolled in California educational institutions. Projects co-funded by CDIC are aligned with its strategic direction and designed to directly support product, process, and packaging innovation. Faculty are encouraged to contact CDIC to discuss new research ideas and applications concepts, and to work collaboratively towards the development of proposals.
INNOVATION GRANTS
Thinking of innovation?
The window for grant applications from the Pacific Coast Coalition-Dairy Business Innovation Initiative PCC-DBII is now closed. Check back early 2026 for updates on further grant opportunities.
Interested organizations can contact CDIC staff vlagrange@cmab.net or byee@cmab.net for assistance in preparing their application.
Other Grants Available from USDA
The application process for the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) is now closed. Check back early 2026 at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp
The application process for the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is now closed. Check back early 2026 at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/fmpp
The current application process for the United States Department of Agriculture's Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program is now closed. These grants can be used to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. Check back early 2026 here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants