GEAPS Foundation Announces $200,000 in Grants for 2026 Workforce Education
Funding will support development of new training resources focused on grain handling facility design, operations, and bulk material flow.
Kansas City, MO – The Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) Foundation announced that up to $200,000 in funding is available for the 2026 grant cycle, continuing the Foundation’s growing investment in workforce education for the grain handling and processing industry. The Foundation is accepting applications through June 5, 2026.
“The GEAPS Foundation is committed to strengthening the industry’s workforce by investing in high-quality educational resources,” said Darren Zink, Chair of the GEAPS Foundation. “These grants allow us to partner with experts across the industry to develop training that supports the next generation of grain handling professionals.”
The GEAPS Foundation was established to support the development of new and innovative resources for training grain and oilseed supply-chain professionals. These resources complement the continuing education programs of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS). Since launching its grant program in 2024, the GEAPS Foundation has awarded $320,102 to support the development of new workforce training resources for the grain handling and processing industry.
Applications are open to qualified organizations, institutions, or individuals capable of developing and delivering projects aligned with the Foundation’s mission. Selected applicants will work in collaboration with GEAPS to develop new or updated learning resources for the industry.
Projects supported by the Foundation are intended for GEAPS members and, by extension, their employers. The highest-priority project areas for the 2026 grant cycle are as follows:
Fundamentals of Grain Bulk Material Flow, Storage, and Conveying - I
The GEAPS Foundation’s 2026 grant cycle will support development of an online course focused on the fundamentals of grain as a bulk material and the operational principles governing its movement, storage, and conveying within grain facilities. The course is intended to provide practical technical knowledge for individuals entering the grain handling and processing industries, including equipment operators, newly promoted supervisors, and early-career technical staff. Topics will include grain flow behavior, common flow disruptions, equipment considerations, and safety implications associated with bulk material handling.
Foundations of Grain Facility Planning, Design, and Operations
The GEAPS Foundation will also seek proposals to develop an online course focused on the fundamentals of grain facility planning, design, and operations. The course will introduce participants to how grain handling facilities function within the agricultural supply chain and how commercial objectives, storage capacity, logistics, and operational constraints influence facility design and performance. Intended for individuals early in their careers in the grain industry, the course will provide a practical overview of facility types, material handling systems, quality management, and operational decision-making.
The Foundation is seeking partners to help redevelop and modernize these existing GEAPS educational courses. Applicants selected for funding will work directly with GEAPS subject-matter experts and staff to design and produce updated training programs aligned with industry workforce needs. Additional details about the course scope and proposal requirements, and the grant application process are available on the GEAPS Foundation website: www.geapsfoundation.org/grants.