Funding Wizard

a. OverviewThe Food for Progress (FFPr) Program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries and emerging democracies committed to introducing and expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. The commodities are generally sold on the local market and the proceeds are used to support agricultural development activities.b. ObjectivesFood for Progress has two high-level strategic objectives: (1) increase agricultural productivity and (2) expand trade of agricultural products (domestically, regionally, and internationally).c. PrioritiesIn FY 2023, USDA has prioritized the following technical areas for the FFPr Program:1. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA): USDA seeks to strengthen FFPr Program projects to align with the USDA Climate initiatives. FAS is requiring Applicants for awards under the FFPr Program to incorporate climate smart agricultural components into all their projects wherever appropriate and respond to the increasing risks which climate change presents both to farmers and to a livable global environment.2. Trade Enabling Environment (TEE): USDA seeks to continue its work through the FFPr Program in Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), food safety, and trade facilitation including the simplification modernization, and harmonization of processes for the export, import, and transit of agricultural goods. To ensure long lasting impact of their proposed agricultural development interventions, Applicants should: (a) consider agricultural sectors with end market opportunities which require consistent safety and quality measures, and (b) seek to assure that their work in SPS and Trade Facilitation is science-based and contributes to the three pillars of food security in target countries (access to, affordability of, and utilization of safe and nutritious food).3. Strengthening Food Security: USDA contributes to the global poverty and hunger initiative of the U.S. Government (USG) by aligning USDA’s international food assistance with the USG’s Feed the Future (FTF) initiative. The Global Food Security Act of 2016 and corresponding FTF initiative affirm the United States’ commitment to ending global hunger, poverty, and child malnutrition. Through the FFPr Program, USDA will continue its work in food security by assisting farmers to increase their income through diversification, stronger market linkages and adoption of good agriculture practices. Applicants are encouraged to align proposed interventions with the objectives found in the FTF results framework, where appropriate, and are required to ensure that proposed activities are complementary and not duplicative.In addition, USDA supports the recommendations proposed by the Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products. All proposals for country and priority areas in the NOFO that are identified in the U.S. Department of Labor’s report—List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor—must include a child and/or forced labor analysis. The distinct NOFO Country Guidance sections will provide further direction on how the proposals should address the technical areas and country specific goals.

The principal objectives of the McGovern-Dole Program are to carry out: 1) preschool and school food for education programs in foreign countries to improve food security, reduce the incidence of hunger, and improve literacy and primary education, particularly with respect to girls; and 2) maternal, infant, and child nutrition programs for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and children who are five years of age or younger.Funding Opportunity Numbers by Priority Country. (Refer to Appendix B - Country Guidance for more information)USDA-FAS-10.608-0700-23-(510) CameroonUSDA-FAS-10.608-0700-23-(124) HaitiUSDA-FAS-10.608-0700-23-(558) MozambiqueUSDA-FAS-10.608-0700-23-(646) NepalUSDA-FAS-10.608-0700-23-(130) NicaraguaUSDA-FAS-10.608-0700-23-(688) Sri LankaUSDA-FAS-10.608-0700-23-(578) TogoUSDA-FAS-10.608-0700-23-(000) Non-priority country applicationsThe Related Documents tab has the full announcement, details on how to apply, instructions on accessing the Food Aid Information System, weekly responses to questions, and other important information.

Under the MAP, FAS enters into assistance agreements with eligible Participants to share the cost of certain marketing and promotion activities designed to foster healthy exports and market diversification by encouraging the development, maintenance, and expansion of diverse commercial export markets for United States agricultural commodities and products. Assistance may be provided for either generic or brand promotion activities. While activities generally take place overseas, reimbursable activities may also take place in the United States. Financial assistance under the MAP is made available on a competitive basis, and applications are reviewed against the evaluation criteria contained herein. FAS endeavors to enter into agreements with eligible Participants to cover as broad an array of agricultural commodity sectors as possible and to maximize the likelihood that benefits generated will be available throughout the relevant agricultural sectors and that no single entity gains an undue advantage or sole benefit from program activities. All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for consideration. Applicants should refer to and have a common understanding of the MAP programmatic regulations,7 CFR Part 1485, and the definitions contained within to fully understand this opportunity.

The Cooperator program is designed to maintain and develop foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities and products through cost–share assistance. Financial assistance under the Cooperator program will be made available on a competitive basis and applications will be reviewed against the evaluation criteria contained herein and in the Cooperator program regulations. Applicants should refer to and have a common understanding of the Cooperator program regulations, 7 CFR Part 1484, and the definitions contained within to fully understand this opportunity. All U.S. agricultural commodities, except tobacco, are eligible for consideration.

Program OverviewThe FFPr program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries and emerging democracies committed to introducing and expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. The commodities are generally sold on the local market, and the proceeds are used to support agricultural development activities.Program ObjectivesThe FFPr program has two principal objectives: • To improve agricultural productivity; and • To expand trade of agricultural products.Program PrioritiesThe program funding priorities of this NOFO are to support active FFPr agreements experiencing monetization shortfalls by providing additional current year commodity and or freight funds.

Program OverviewThe Food for Progress Program (FFPr) assists developing and emerging countriesstrengthen their agricultural sectors. U.S. agricultural commodities are provided toeligible entities as part of the agreement awards, which are then monetized inlocal and/or regional markets. These proceeds are used to implement agricultural,economic development projects.Program ObjectivesThe FFPr program has two principal objectives:To improve agricultural productivity; andTo expand trade of agricultural products.Program PrioritiesThe program funding priorities of this NOFO are to support active FFPragreements through a limited competitive process with current year commodityfunds. Freight funds are not available under this Limited Merit Based NOFO.Applicants would only be able to utilize remaining freight funds in their existingaward.

The QSP is designed to encourage the development and expansion of export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by assisting U.S. entities in providing commodity samples to potential foreign importers to promote a better understanding and appreciation for the high quality of U.S. agricultural commodities. The QSP is administered by personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). QSP participants will be responsible for procuring (or arranging for the procurement of) the commodity samples, exporting the samples, and providing the on–site technical assistance necessary to facilitate successful use of the samples by importers. Participants that are funded under thisPage 2 of 20announcement may seek reimbursement from FAS for the sample purchase price and for the cost of transporting the samples domestically to the port of export and then to the first foreign port or point of entry. No other expenses will be reimbursed through the program, including the transportation costs from the first foreign port or point of entry to the final destination are not eligible for reimbursement. FAS will also not reimburse the costs incidental to purchasing and transporting samples, such as: inspection or documentation fees, certificates of any kind, tariffs, demurrage, etc. Although providing technical assistance is required for all projects, the costs of providing such technical assistance are not reimbursable under the program. The program operates on a reimbursement basis.

OVERVIEWThe International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program (IAEFP), in coordination with4H and FFA, will provide opportunities to eligible U.S. citizens to assist developing countries in establishing school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, PL 115-334, Sec. 3307, 7 USC § 3295. Eligible U.S. citizens must possess at least a bachelor’s degree, and ideally will have agricultural experience, including teaching agricultural skills, and curriculum and/or program development. FAS will consider program proposals from all eligible organizations, including current recipients and new organizations.The IAEFP’s purpose is to connect American agricultural professionals to the demand for experiential, school-based agricultural education in developing countries. The IAEFP was first implemented in Ghana and Uganda during calendar year 2021-2022. The IAEFP, affords United States agriculturalists to develop a global mindset, collaboratively meet the food and fiber needs of the domestic population of eligible countries, and strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible countries and the United States agricultural industry.OBJECTIVESIAEFP emphasizes agricultural skill transfer to youth in priority country secondary schools and encourages community-based extension and teacher training, as well as development of 4H clubs for strong sustainability of the program. Proposal submission should include, but is not limited to, classroom instruction, field demonstrations, entrepreneurship projects, and leadership development. The proposal should address priority country’s receptiveness of the IAEFP and what, if any, country policies and procedures will be necessary to incorporate into the project work plan for strong program implementation and sustainability. Host country’s government, agriculture community, and local authorities should demonstrate support and commitment to collaborate on the implementation and execution of the IAEFP.PRIORITIESFor this announcement, IAEFP will focus on any low to middle income country as defined by The World Bank. The recipient should provide a suggested curriculum to all Fellows that is tailored to the needs of the priority country. Fellow’s training topics should align with USDA and the priority country’s agricultural policy, development, and extension goals. Topics should also promote bilateral agricultural trade between the priority country and the United States and should address priorities on Climate Smart Agricultural practices. For additional recipient requirements, please see the Performance Expectations in Section F. Applicants must submit a draft evaluation plan as an attachment. Each evaluation plan should include a comprehensive approach to monitoring and evaluating the project’s performance and impact. This includes specific performance goals, an activity-level results framework, performance indicators with targets for each program activity, and plans for baseline and program-related data collection.USDA anticipates issuing up to 2 awards in this program cycle. Each award is expected to support up to nine (9) Fellows. The Fellowship is expected to last 8-9 months in concurrence with the priority country’s academic year. United States Fellows participating under IAEFP must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field and understand U.S. school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs. After selection, recipients will be expected to identify Fellows through an organized recruitment process including a request for applications and accompanying candidate selection process. In addition, the National FFA Organization (FFA) and the National 4-H Council (4-H) must be consulted on U.S. Fellow selections. Applicants are expected to identify their respective 4-H and FFA selection SME panel representatives within thirty days following negotiations. All final Fellow selections must be submitted to the USDA for final concurrence.Although each Fellow should be assigned to a specific site within the proposed country, they are expected to participate as a cohesive cohort. All proposal submissions must demonstrate that security considerations have been assessed and address all measures that would be implemented to ensure the safety and security of participating U.S. Fellows. Additionally, Fellows should be provided with adequate and safe living accommodations. Examples of safe living accommodations include but are not limited to: schools’ dorms with a security guard, host family accommodations, private transportation arrangements, etc. Living arrangements ought to be considered in coordination with the priority country’s U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer recommendations. Applicants should also include in their orientation a safety and security self-defense training. Award recipients will be required to work with USDA/FAS IAEFP Team, and, if necessary, relevant FAS overseas offices and/or appropriate U.S. Embassy personnel on all programmatic issues, including but not limited to target country partnerships, Fellow placements, and security measures. Additionally, a strong social media presence displaying the ongoing activities of the IAEFP is encouraged. Finally, regular updates on program implementation should also be provided to USDA/FAS Washington, D.C. and FAS overseas office representatives.PLACE OF PERFORMANCEIAEFP will focus on any low to middle income country as defined by The World Bank. Applicants may submit multiple applications for different countries; and all will be considered. All proposals must address the safety and security situation in proposed country(ies) and the regions within the country(ies) where Fellows will be placed. All proposals must address where the IAEFP can work in conjunction with the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program, the Cochran Fellowship Program, the Food for Progress Program, the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program, the Local and Regional Procurement Program, Peace Corps, and/or USAID or other USG programming. All proposals should recognize and demonstrate incorporation of any priority country government requirements to allow for smooth implementation of this program. Program implementation must be focused on program sustainability and collaboration with the host government to help build/enhance the country’s agricultural education curriculum.Issuance of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of the United States Government (USG) to make awards, nor does it commit the USG to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a concept note or full application.Each proposal must be country-specific and tailored to the context of that country. Depending on ever-changing on the ground security situations, the USDA selecting official may elect not to award or fund proposals for a country(ies). In addition, USDA may elect to make amendments to agreements. The USDA selecting official may also select applications out of rank order in consideration of strategic program priorities, such as geographical distribution, incorporation of minority-serving institutions, congressional directive, or other documented considerations. These determinations are final and cannot be appealed.

OVERVIEWThe International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program (IAEFP), in coordination with4H and FFA, will provide opportunities to eligible U.S. citizens to assist developing countries in establishing school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, PL 115-334, Sec. 3307, 7 USC § 3295. Eligible U.S. citizens must possess at least a bachelor’s degree, and ideally will have agricultural experience, including teaching agricultural skills, and curriculum and/or program development. FAS will consider program proposals from all eligible organizations, including current recipients and new organizations.The IAEFP’s purpose is to connect American agricultural professionals to the demand for experiential, school-based agricultural education in developing countries. The IAEFP was first implemented in Ghana and Uganda during calendar year 2021-2022. The IAEFP, affords United States agriculturalists to develop a global mindset, collaboratively meet the food and fiber needs of the domestic population of eligible countries, and strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible countries and the United States agricultural industry.OBJECTIVESIAEFP emphasizes agricultural skill transfer to youth in priority country secondary schools and encourages community-based extension and teacher training, as well as development of 4H clubs for strong sustainability of the program. Proposal submission should include, but is not limited to, classroom instruction, field demonstrations, entrepreneurship projects, and leadership development. The proposal should address priority country’s receptiveness of the IAEFP and what, if any, country policies and procedures will be necessary to incorporate into the project work plan for strong program implementation and sustainability. Host country’s government, agriculture community, and local authorities should demonstrate support and commitment to collaborate on the implementation and execution of the IAEFP.PRIORITIESFor this opportunity, IAEFP will focus on any low to middle income country as defined by The World Bank. The recipient should provide a suggested curriculum to all Fellows that is tailored to the needs of the priority country. Fellow’s training topics should align with USDA and the priority country’s agricultural policy, development, and extension goals. Topics should also promote bilateral agricultural trade between the priority country and the United States and should address priorities on Climate Smart Agricultural practices. For additional recipient requirements, please see the Performance Expectations in Section F. Applicants must submit a draft evaluation plan as an attachment. Each evaluation plan should include a comprehensive approach to monitoring and evaluating the project’s performance and impact. This includes specific performance goals, an activity-level results framework, performance indicators with targets for each program activity, and plans for baseline and program-related data collection.USDA anticipates issuing up to 2 awards in this program cycle. Each award is expected to support up to nine (9) Fellows. The Fellowship is expected to last 8-9 months in concurrence with the priority country’s academic year. United States Fellows participating under IAEFP must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field and understand U.S. school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs. After selection, recipients will be expected to identify Fellows through an organized recruitment process including a request for applications and accompanying candidate selection process. In addition, the National FFA Organization (FFA) and the National 4-H Council (4-H) must be consulted on U.S. Fellow selections. Applicants are expected to identify their respective 4-H and FFA selection SME panel representatives within thirty days following negotiations. All final Fellow selections must be submitted to the USDA for final concurrence.Although each Fellow should be assigned to a specific site within the proposed country, they are expected to participate as a cohesive cohort. All proposal submissions must demonstrate that security considerations have been assessed and address all measures that would be implemented to ensure the safety and security of participating U.S. Fellows. Additionally, Fellows should be provided with adequate and safe living accommodations. Examples of safe living accommodations include but are not limited to: schools’ dorms with a security guard, host family accommodations, private transportation arrangements, etc. Living arrangements ought to be considered in coordination with the priority country’s U.S. Embassy Regional Security Officer recommendations. Applicants should also include in their orientation a safety and security self-defense training. Award recipients will be required to work with USDA/FAS IAEFP Team, and, if necessary, relevant FAS overseas offices and/or appropriate U.S. Embassy personnel on all programmatic issues, including but not limited to target country partnerships, Fellow placements, and security measures. Additionally, a strong social media presence displaying the ongoing activities of the IAEFP is encouraged. Finally, regular updates on program implementation should also be provided to USDA/FAS Washington, D.C. and FAS overseas office representatives.PLACE OF PERFORMANCEFor this opportunity, IAEFP will focus on any low to middle income country as defined by The World Bank. Applicants may submit multiple applications for different countries; and all will be considered. All proposals must address the safety and security situation in proposed country(ies) and the regions within the country(ies) where Fellows will be placed. All proposals must address where the IAEFP can work in conjunction with the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program, the Cochran Fellowship Program, the Food for Progress Program, the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program, the Local and Regional Procurement Program, Peace Corps, and/or USAID or other USG programming. All proposals should recognize and demonstrate incorporation of any priority country government requirements to allow for smooth implementation of this program. Program implementation must be focused on program sustainability and collaboration with the host government to help build/enhance the country’s agricultural education curriculum.Issuance of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award or commitment on the part of the United States Government (USG) to make awards, nor does it commit the USG to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a concept note or full application.Each proposal must be country-specific and tailored to the context of that country. Depending on ever-changing on the ground security situations, the USDA selecting official may elect not to award or fund proposals for a country(ies). In addition, USDA may elect to make amendments to agreements. The USDA selecting official may also select applications out of rank order in consideration of strategic program priorities, such as geographical distribution, incorporation of minority-serving institutions, congressional directive, or other documented considerations. These determinations are final and cannot be appealed.

The Scientific Exchange Program (SEP) leverages the latest developments in cross-cutting agricultural priorities, research, and technologies to educate a new generation of agricultural scientist to promote trade, trade policy, trade capacity building, and food security. The collaborative nature of the SEP training and research programs improves agricultural productivity, systems, and processes in partnering emerging market economies through the transfer of new science and agricultural technologies. USDA may also use the program as a market development tool to assist in opening markets and decreasing or eliminating trade barriers in low to middle income countries, which ultimately increases and creates new trade opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports. SEP focuses on a cohort of Fellows who will spend up to 12 weeks at the U.S. academic institution and work directly with U.S. scientists in their fields. Each Fellow must hold a minimum of a Master’s-level degree, be in the early or middle stage of their career, and represent a university, government agency, or research entity in their home country. Mentors coordinate the training program in the United States. Upon the Fellow's return home, the mentor travels to the Fellows country to follow-up. SEP is administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Programs, Fellowship Programs.