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 an Emerging Markets Program. The program supports the activities of U.S. agricultural organizations 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
Not applicable.
Authorization
The Emerging Markets Program is authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACT Act), as amended by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (FAIR Act) Section 1542 (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
There are 4 types of eligible activities: (1) Assistance to U.S. individual experts in assessing the food and rural business systems of other countries. This type of EMP project must include all three of the following: o Conduct an assessment of the food and rural business system needs of an emerging market; o Make recommendations on measures necessary to enhance the effectiveness of these systems; and o Identify opportunities and projects to enhance the effectiveness of the emerging market's food and rural business systems. (2) Travel assistance to enable individuals from emerging markets to travel to the United States so that these individuals can, for the purpose of enhancing the food and rural business systems in their countries, become familiar with U.S. technology and agribusiness and rural enterprise operations by consulting with food and rural business system experts in the United States. (3) Travel assistance to enable U.S. agricultural producers and other individuals knowledgeable in agricultural and agribusiness matters to travel to emerging markets to assist in transferring their knowledge and expertise to entities in emerging markets. Such travel must be to emerging markets. Travel to developed markets is not eligible under the program even if the traveler's targeted market is an emerging market. (4) Technical assistance to implement the recommendations, projects, and/or opportunities identified by assistance under (1) above. Technical assistance that does not implement the recommendations, projects, and/or opportunities identified by assistance under (1) above is not eligible under the EMP. (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
All eligible applicants must submit a written proposal in accordance with the guidelines set forth each year in the Federal Register.
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
Announce Accept proposals Multi-stage review process (sufficiency review, merit review) Award (Agreement put in place)
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 120 to 180 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
From 120 to 180 days.
How are proposals selected?
o Appropriateness of the Activity, including the ability of the applicant to provide an experienced U.S.-based staff with knowledge and expertise to ensure adequate development, supervision, and execution of the proposed project; the entity's willingness to contribute resources, including cash and goods and services of the U.S. industry, with greater weight given to cash contributions (for private sector proposals only); and the conditions or constraints affecting the level of U.S. exports and market share for the agricultural commodity/product (30%); o Market Impact, including the degree to which the proposed project is likely to contribute to the development, maintenance, or expansion of U.S. agricultural exports to emerging markets; demonstration of how a proposed project will benefit a particular industry as a whole; and the quality of the project's proposed performance measures (50%); and o Completeness and Viability of the proposal along with past program results and evaluations, if applicable (20%).
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: Awardees must report performance against their specified performance measures.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching is voluntary. non specific cost share is required for non-public entities
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are generally let for a period not to exceed five years. EMP is generally operated as a reimbursable program
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Robert Miller - Program Manager
1400 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20050
Washington, DC 20050 USA
Robert.Miller@fas.usda.gov
Phone: 202-720-0581
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 18$10,000,000.00; FY 19 est $8,000,000.00; FY 20 est $8,000,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Generally grants are for small, focused projects ranging from $7,000 up to $500,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Regulations are at 7 CFR PART 1486
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.