Grants and Awards
Opportunities for Educators
The below awards and grants are available for educators to collaborate on programs, build resources, and seek out professional development opportunities. They are made available through the department of Animal Science at Cornell by generous gifts and industry partnerships. In each case, the educator must apply for the grant via the application below, and, if awarded, must follow up submitting the reporting form in a timely manner. Please see below for how to qualify, due dates, and more information.

Rice Poultry Fund Awards
The Rice Poultry Fund was established by a generous gift from James and Louise Rice in 1946. It was established to award prizes to New York State girls and boys who participant in NYS 4-H Animal Science programming to encourage leadership and interest in poultry.
Each year, there are several $500 resource award scholarships available to county extension associates that engage directly in 4-H Poultry Project programming with youth in New York State. To qualify, counties must team up with at least two other counties to work together to provide these materials and programming to youth interested in poultry. The awards can be used on poultry related educational resource materials and equipment or to conduct regional in-service trainings. Please see the application form for additional details.
Application due date: March 1, 2025
Reporting due date: October 1, 2025

Standardbred Grant Awards
The Standardbred Grant Awards are sponsored by the New York Agriculture Horse Breeding Development Fund. The Fund has long provided grants to help accomplish its mission by championing programs that support and promote the breeding, research and racing of Standardbred horses in NYS. Awarding organizations which also make this a priority is how they enhance the work of the NY Sire Stakes program and provides a foundation for the next generation to enjoy the Standardbred breed.
The NYS 4-H Horse Program offers Standardbred Grant Awards for both clinical and in-service events. Please see the application forms below for additional details.
We encourage you to express your appreciation by sending a thank you card to the Agriculture & Horse Breeding Development Fund. Thank you cards can be sent to:
Brian O'Dwyer and Ralph Scunziano
Agriculture & Horse Breeding Development Fund
230 Washington Ave. Extension, Suite 101
Albany, N.Y. 12203
The application period is currently open.
Reporting due date: Two weeks after your event.
Funding Donor
Case Studies

4-H Willman Resource Award
The 4-H Willman Resource Award was established in 1981 to honor Professor Emeritus Harold A. Willman, former 4-H Specialist in the Department of Animal Science. Today, youth in NY engage in animal related projects in clubs, school enrichment and camp program environments. All activities assist youth in increasing competence and confidence in subject matter and life skills.
Thanks to this generous funding, we are able to offer several $500 resource award scholarships to county extension associations in New York State that engage youth in animal science programming. To qualify, counties must team up with at least two other counties to work together to provide these animal science related materials and programming to youth in New York State. Please see the application form for additional details.
Application due date: March 1, 2025
Reporting due date: October 1, 2025