Albany, NY — The Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund is now accepting grant applications from certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for 2024.

Awards will be based on the strength of proposal and its adherence to the mission of the Fund, which is to promote agriculture through the breeding of Standardbred horses and the conduct of equine research within the state.

Grants are awarded to support and promote research, educational programming, and the preservation of the history and traditions of harness and trotting horse racing, through acquiring and maintaining collections of artifacts, memorabilia and documents related to such history and to maintaining a racetrack that is designated as a national registered historic landmark.

Grant proposals from eligible organizations must be received by the Fund no later than April 29. Interested organizations are asked to review the grant application, which can be accessed here, to determine their eligibility and to apply.

2024 grant awardees will be announced during a public meeting of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Following the announcement, awardees will be notified in writing, which will include deadlines for submission of expenditure reports.

Completed applications must be submitted to the Fund via one of the following methods:

• Mail to The Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, 230 Washington Ave. Extension Suite 101, Albany, NY 12203
• Email as a PDF to Ralph.Scunziano@gaming.ny.gov

The New York Sire Stakes is the state’s premier harness racing program for 2- and 3-year-old Standardbreds. Established to encourage the breeding, buying and racing of Standardbred horses in New York State, it is the nation’s oldest harness racing program of its kind and has served as a model for state-bred racing programs.

To learn more, visit the New York Sire Stakes website at www.nysirestakes.com.