Producing Real Opportunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in Nutrition Act
Sponsored By: Representative Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Introduced
Summary
Build domestic alternative protein research, production, and workforce capacity. This bill would create a federal framework of centers, grant programs, and a national strategy to scale bioprocessing, biomanufacturing, and biomass-to-protein technologies in the United States.
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- Families and consumers: Could expand alternative protein options and strengthen food security by promoting diversified domestic protein supply and resilient production pathways.
- Students, researchers, and workers: Funds at least three Centers of Excellence and a workforce grant program that support student success, training centers, scholarships, and regional economic planning. The centers get $15 million per year and workforce grants are authorized at $25 million per year for 2026–2030.
- Producers and manufacturers: Establishes a $50 million per year Food Biomanufacturing and Production Grant Program that funds U.S.-based demonstration projects, new facilities, and retooling. Grants must be at least $10 million and applicants must be U.S.-headquartered and majority U.S.-owned.
*Authorizes about $100 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 across centers, the Agricultural Research Service protein program, production grants, and workforce grants, increasing federal outlays during that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Large grants for U.S. biomanufacturers
If enacted, the Secretary of Agriculture would establish a competitive grant program within 180 days to build U.S. food biomanufacturing capacity. Applicants must be U.S.-headquartered, at least 51% U.S. citizen owned, and deploy IP owned by U.S. individuals. Each grant would be not less than $10 million. The program is authorized at $50 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
National protein strategy and research
If enacted, the Secretary of Agriculture would lead a national strategy on alternative proteins and finish it within one year of enactment. The bill would also create an ARS national protein program focused on bioprocessing and biomass conversion, authorized at $10 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030. The bill would expand allowable AFRI research topics to include bioprocessing and biomass-to-ingredient work. The strategy and research changes could speed R&D and scale-up but also push coordinated regulatory or policy actions that affect producers.
Training grants for biomanufacturing jobs
If enacted, the Secretary of Agriculture would create a competitive workforce grant program within 180 days to train workers for food biomanufacturing and bioprocessing. Grants could pay for employee training, training centers, scholarships (including community colleges), and regulatory technical help. The program would be authorized at $25 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
Centers for food innovation and training
If enacted, the bill would direct the Secretary to recognize at least three Centers of Excellence to advance edible protein and food biomanufacturing. One center must be led by an 1890 institution. Centers could run research, education, and workforce programs. The centers are authorized $15 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and the Secretary must report to Congress each year.
Insect production excluded from support
If enacted, the bill would say nothing in the Act shall be construed to support producing insects for food or animal feed. That means businesses that produce insects for food or feed would not be eligible for support under this Act.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Schrier
WA • D
Sponsored 2/17/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/7/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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