Emerging Markets Program

 

The primary objective of the Emerging Markets Program is to promote, enhance, or expand the exports of U.S. agricultural commodities to overseas emerging markets through cost-share assistance to eligible organizations that implement activities aimed at enhancing the food and rural business systems of eligible emerging markets.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
10.603
Federal Agency/Office
Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants; C - Direct Payments For Specified Use
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2023 The EMP program has supported successful developmental and fact–finding projects for a variety of agricultural commodities in emerging markets around the world. The program is used effectively by both existing Cooperators and entities new to the FAS market development programs to explore, understand, and develop new markets around the world.
Authorization
7 U.S.C. 5623(d)
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants must be a: (1) U. S. agricultural or agribusiness organization -- nonprofit, trade association, university, consultant group (under certain conditions), (2) State Department of Agriculture, or (3) USDA agency (or other Federal agency involved in agricultural issues) or commercial entities.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All EMP projects must fall into at least one of the following four categories: (a) Market Assessments: Assistance to teams (consisting primarily of agricultural consultants, agricultural producers, other persons from the private sector, and government officials expert in assessing the food and rural business systems of other countries) to enable those teams to make assessments of the food and rural business systems needs of the target market. This type of EMP project must accomplish all three of the following elements: 1. Conduct an assessment of the food and rural business system needs of an emerging market; 2. Make recommendations on measures necessary to enhance the effectiveness of those systems, including potential reductions in trade barriers; and 3. Identify opportunities and projects to enhance the effectiveness of the emerging market's food and rural business systems. (b) Subsistence Travel to Emerging Markets: Assistance to enable United States food and rural business system experts, including United States agricultural producers and other United States individuals knowledgeable in agricultural and agribusiness matters, to assist in transferring knowledge and expertise to entities from emerging markets. (c) Subsistence Travel to the United States: Assistance to enable individuals designated by emerging markets to consult with such United States experts to enhance the food and rural business systems of such emerging markets and to transfer knowledge and expertise to such emerging markets. (d) Technical Training: Technical assistance to enable individuals or other entities to carry out recommendations, projects, and opportunities in emerging markets. Proposals that do not fall into one or more of the four categories above, regardless of previous guidance provided regarding the EMP, are not eligible for consideration under the program.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
Award Procedure
Proposals are evaluated by FAS, which rates the qualifications of applicants and determines an appropriate level of funding.
Deadlines
Deadlines will appear in the annual Notice of Funding Opportunity posted to Grants.gov.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 90 to 120 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
From 30 to 60 days. Extensions must be requested at least 45 days before the end of the Period of Performance.
How are proposals selected?
The criteria for selecting proposals will appear in the annual Notice of Funding Opportunity posted to Grants.gov.
How may assistance be used?
Emerging Markets Program funds are authorized through project agreements that serve as binding instruments and create a legal obligation on the part of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to make appropriated funds available to the participant. The agreement creates a cooperative relationship between CCC and the implementor with each side contributing resources to support achievement of mutual goals. Program funds help finance activities such as feasibility studies, market research, sectorial assessments, orientation visits, specialized training, and business workshops. The Program is not intended for projects targeted at end-user consumers. Ineligible activities include in-store promotions, restaurant promotions, branded product promotions, administrative and operational expenses for trade shows and advertising, except in connection with specific technical assistance activities such as training seminars.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Interim (annual) and final reports are required.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or subrecipient under the award.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. While there is no minimum or maximum amount of cost share, the degree of commitment to a proposed project, represented by the amount and type of private funding, is one factor used in determining which proposals will be approved for funding. Proposals for which private industry is willing to commit cash, rather than in–kind contributions such as staff resources, will be given priority consideration.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards will generally be granted for a project of up to three years. FAS will entertain requests to extend an agreement’s expiration date up to a maximum of five years. Any requests must include a justification for why the extension is necessary and how the extension would effectively support the program’s purpose. EMP is generally operated as a reimbursable program
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Curt Alt
1400 Independence Ave, SW

Washington, DC 20250 US
curt.alt@usda.gov
Phone: 2026904784
Website Address
http://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/emerging-markets-program-emp
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-4336-0-3-999
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$8,000,000.00; FY 23 est $8,000,000.00; FY 24 est $8,000,000.00; FY 21$8,000,000.00; FY 20$8,000,000.00; FY 19$8,000,000.00; FY 18$10,000,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Generally grants are for small, focused projects ranging from $1,000 up to $500,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Regulations are at 7 CFR PART 1486
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2023 The EMP program supports activities to conduct assessments of the food and rural business system needs of emerging markets and transfer knowledge and provide technical assistance to develop those systems in eligible markets to develop, maintain, or expand markets for U.S. agricultural exports.

 


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