Cochran Fellowship Program
Provides short term U.S. based training opportunities to agricultural professionals from developing and middle – income countries.
The Cochran Fellowship Program provides short-term training opportunities to agricultural professionals from middle-income countries, emerging markets, and emerging democracies. The goals are:
- to help eligible countries develop agricultural systems necessary to meet the food and fiber needs of their domestic populations; and
- to strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible countries and agricultural interests in the United States.
Approximately 600 Cochran fellows come to the United States each year, generally for 2-3 weeks, to work with U.S. universities, government agencies, and private companies. They receive hands-on training to enhance their technical knowledge and skills in areas related to agricultural trade, agribusiness development, management, policy, and marketing. USDA announces eligible countries and topics each year based on current trade issues.
https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/cochran-fellowship-program
Borlaug Fellowship Program
Offers mentoring and training to researchers and policymakers from developing countries to help promote food security and economic growth.
The Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program promotes food security and economic growth by providing training and collaborative research opportunities to fellows from developing and middle-income countries.
Borlaug fellows are generally scientists, researchers, or policymakers who are in the early or middle stages of their careers. Each fellow works one-on-one with a mentor at a U.S. university, research center or government agency, usually for 8-12 weeks. The U.S. mentor will later visit the fellow’s home institution to continue collaboration. Fellows may also attend professional conferences and events within their field, such as the annual World Food Prize Symposium.
https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/borlaug-fellowship-program
Quality Samples Program
Helps U.S. organizations provide small samples of their agricultural products to potential customers overseas.
The QSP enables potential customers around the world to discover the quality and benefits of U.S. agricultural products. The program focuses on processors and manufacturers rather than consumers, and QSP projects should benefit an entire industry or commodity rather than a specific company or product. Projects should focus on developing a new market or promoting a new use for the U.S. product.
QSP participants obtain commodity samples, export them and provide the recipient with guidance on how to use the samples. When a project is finished, USDA reimburses the participant for the costs of procuring and transporting the sample. Although all program participants are required to provide technical assistance to the recipients of their commodity samples, the costs for this assistance are not reimbursable.
Any U.S. private or government entity with an interest in exporting U.S. agricultural products may apply to the program. Each year, FAS announces the QSP application period and criteria in the Federal Register. Applicants submit QSP proposals through the Unified Export Strategy (UES) process, which allows eligible organizations to request funding from multiple USDA market development programs through a single, strategically coordinated proposal.
Trade Missions and Shows
FAS sponsored international trade missions open doors and delivers results for U.S. exporters
FAS sponsored international trade missions open doors and delivers results for U.S. exporters, giving them the opportunity to forge relationships with potential customers, gather market intelligence and, most importantly, generate sales.
Each year, FAS endorses the trade shows that will provide the best international exposure and marketing opportunities for the U.S. companies and producers.
FAS works with show organizers and other partners to create a “SA Pavillion” to showcase the variety of quality made-in- America products to potential foreign buyers. FAS also provides participating companies with marketing and promotional services, market intelligence, logistical support, and on-site assistance.
Agricultural Trade Promotion Program
Provides cost-share funding to help U.S. agricultural exporters develop new markets and mitigate the adverse effects of other countries’ tariff and non-tariff trade barriers.
The Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) will help U.S. agricultural exporters develop new markets and will help mitigate the adverse effects of other countries’ tariff and non-tariff barriers. The ATP provides cost-share assistance to eligible U.S. organizations for activities such as consumer advertising, public relations, point-of-sale demonstrations, participation in trade fairs and exhibits, market research, and technical assistance. The ATP is available to all sectors of U.S. agriculture, including fish and forest product producers, mainly through partnerships with non-profit national and regional organizations. FAS administers the ATP under authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act.
ATP Regulations
Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund
A fund to reduce economic injury to domestic manufacturers resulting from tariffs on cotton fabric that are higher than tariffs on certain apparel articles made of cotton fabric.
Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program
Supports field-based projects that provide development assistance and emergency relief in food-insecure areas using locally procured commodities.
Applying
For application instructions or to read the full 2019 Notice of Funding Opportunity, please go directly to the Food Aid Information System (FAIS)
The application deadline is May 29, 2019
Fiscal Year 2019 Priority Countries
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Liberia
Nepal
Nicaragua
International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program
Provides fellowships to U.S. citizens to assist developing countries in establishing school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs.
The International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program will provide fellowships to eligible U.S. citizens to assist developing countries in establishing school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs.
The program was created by Congress in the 2018 Farm Bill to:
- Develop globally minded United States agriculturists with experience living abroad;
- Help 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.
Candidates must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related field and must understand U.S. school-based agricultural education and youth extension programs.
Dairy Import Licensing Program
Import licensing is one of the tools FAS uses to administer the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system for U.S. imports of dairy products.
Import licensing is one of the tools USDA uses to administer the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system for U.S. imports of dairy products. For dairy products subject to TRQs, a license from FAS is generally required to import items at the low-tier tariff rate. Individuals must apply annually for a license between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15.
Under these TRQs, a low tariff rate, called the low-tier rate, applies to imports up to a specified quantity. A higher tariff rate, called the high-tier rate, applies to any imports in excess of that amount.
TRQs replaced Section 22 import quotas for dairy products on Jan. 1, 1995, as a result of the Uruguay Round Agreement. High-tier tariff rates were reduced by 15 percent in the six years after the agreement’s implementation in 1995, while quantities subject to low-tier rates were increased gradually over that same period. TRQ rates and quantities vary by product.
No license is required to import products at the high-tier rate, to import products for an agency of the U.S. government, or to import products for personal use, as long as net weight does not exceed 5 kilograms (11 pounds) in any one shipment.
Date Country Commodity Note Percent Globalized April, 2020 Iceland OT – NSPF 16 100% SW – Swiss Emmenthaler 25 100% May, 2020 Israel OT – NSPF 16 100% Low Fat 23 100% May, 2020 Chile Cheddar 18 100% Blue 17 100% June, 2020 New Zealand Cheddar 18 100% American Type 19 100% OT – NSPF 16 100% Low Fat 23 100% June, 2020 Costa Rica OT – NSPF 16 100% Regulations
7 CFR Part 46, Subpart – Dairy Tariff-Rate Import Quota Licensing
Listing of Dairy License Recipients Under Regulation 1 (as of April 13, 2020)
Applying
Eligible individuals must apply annually for a license between September 1 and October 15. FAS issues licenses in late December for the following calendar year.
Embassy Science Fellows Program
Places U.S. scientists at American embassies abroad to provide expertise on issues relating to the environment, science, technology and health.
The Embassy Science Fellows Program places USDA scientists at American embassies overseas to provide expertise, advice, and assistance with issues relating to the environment, science, technology, and health. Since the program’s inception in 2002, FAS has sponsored more than 40 fellows in 25 countries to work in areas of strategic importance to USDA, including trade capacity building, biotechnology, food safety, animal health, and sanitary/phytosanitary issues.
Emerging Markets Program (EMP)
Provides funding for technical assistance activities to promote exports of U.S. agricultural commodities to emerging markets worldwide.
Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust
Reserve funding to help ensure that the United States can respond to emergency food needs worldwide.
The Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust makes funds available to provide emergency humanitarian food assistance to developing countries. When a food crisis arises and food aid is not available from other U.S. government programs, the Secretary of Agriculture may authorize the release of funds from the trust in order to quickly meet immediate needs. Cash in the trust provides the U.S. government with the flexibility to purchase appropriate U.S. commodities based on availability and specific needs.
Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102)
Guarantees repayment when U.S. banks extend credit to foreign banks to finance sales of U.S. agricultural products.
The GSM-102 program provides credit guarantees to encourage financing of commercial exports of U.S. agricultural products. By reducing financial risk to lenders, credit guarantees encourage exports to buyers in countries — mainly developing countries — that have sufficient financial strength to have foreign exchange available for scheduled payments.
The program is available to exporters of:
- high-value, consumer-oriented, processed products such as frozen foods, fresh produce, meats, condiments, wine and beer;
- intermediate products such as hides, flour and paper products; and
- bulk products such as grains, oilseeds and rice.
More about the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program
GSM-102 Program Regulations
7 CFR Part 1493 – CCC Export Credit Guarantee Programs Final Rule
7 CFR Part 1493 – CCC Export Credit Guarantee Programs (prior to December 18, 2014)
Applying
Already Enrolled?
New to the Program?
- Start by submitting the Exporter Qualification Application
- Then, create a USDA eAuthentication account by visiting https://www.eauth.usda.gov/ and requesting Level 2 access
- Once your account is activated, you will be able to access the GSM Online System. Each person in your organization who uses the system must obtain an eAuthentication ID. Please do not share your User ID and password with anyone.
If you have questions about the GSM Online System, email gsm.registrations@usda.gov or call (202) 720-3224.
Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program
Supports collaboration between teams of scientific and technical experts from the United States and the People’s Republic of China.
The Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program supports collaborative relationships between teams of scientific and technical experts from the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Since 1979, the program has facilitated exchanges for more than 3,000 participants on topics including food safety and security, animal and plant health, and agricultural biotechnology and emerging technologies. The program helps to promote U.S. agricultural priorities, encourage long-term cooperation in agricultural science and technology, create a positive atmosphere for agricultural trade, and enhance overall relations between the United States and China. By helping U.S. and Chinese companies understand each others’ products and needs, the program provides an avenue through which U.S. agricultural exports can play a role in the burgeoning Chinese economy.
Scientific Cooperation Research Program
Supports joint research, education, and extension projects between U.S. and international agricultural professionals.
The Scientific Cooperation Research Program supports joint research, extension, and education projects — lasting up to two years — between U.S. researchers and researchers from selected emerging market economies. The projects address issues including agricultural trade and market access, animal and plant health, biotechnology, food safety and security, and sustainable natural resource management. Since 1980, the program has supported more than 400 projects with approximately 95 partnering countries, enhancing the technical skills of more than 1,000 agricultural professionals and helping beneficiary countries to be more competitive consumers of U.S. agricultural products.
Export Sales Reporting Program
Monitors U.S. agricultural export sales to ensure widespread access to up-to-date market information.
Facility Guarantee Program
Provides credit guarantees to support infrastructure improvements in countries where demand for U.S. agricultural products may be limited by lack of adequate facilities.
Applying
New to the Program? Start by submitting the Exporter Qualification Application
Program Parameters
Participants are advised to note the following program parameters and limitations that are referenced in 7 CFR 1493 subpart C.
- Maximum tenor: 10 years
- Maximum guarantee coverage (principal): 100% (after deduction of the initial payment)
- Initial payment percentage: 15%
- Eligible local costs percentage: up to 30%
- Eligible interest: the lesser of (1) the interest rate specified between the U.S. financial institution (or seller) and the foreign financial institution; or (2) 80 percent of the average investment rate of the most recent 52-week Treasury bill auction as announced by the Department of Treasury prior to the date the eligible interest rate is established or adjusted. For a given contractual event, the interest rate used to calculate eligible interest will be established as of the date of performance and remain in effect through the first interest and/or principal due date. CCC will adjust that rate as of each interest and/or principal due date. The adjusted rate shall take effect on the day after an interest and/or principal due date and remain in effect though the next interest and/or principal due date. [Note: In the event of any discrepancy between this website and the payment guarantee, the language on the payment guarantee shall prevail.]
Sugar Import Program
U.S. imports of sugar are controlled by a system of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) with annual quota volumes established by USDA.
Applying
Specialty Sugar Certificate Application
U.S. Sugar Re-Export Administration, Application and Reporting
Foreign Market Development Program (FMD)
Provides cooperator organizations with cost-share funding for activities that build international demand for U.S. agricultural commodities.
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC)
Funds projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.
Applying
Applicants may apply via the Unified Export Strategy (UES) process, which allows eligible organizations to request funding from multiple USDA market development programs through a single, strategically coordinated proposal. FAS will also accept applications via email at PODadmin@fas.usda.gov.
FAS reviews the proposals and awards funds on a competitive basis to applicants that clearly demonstrate how their projects will overcome trade barriers and retain or expand market access for specialty crops.
Faculty Exchange Program
Provides semester-long U.S. training opportunities to university-level agricultural educators from developing countries.
Food for Progress
Provides for the donation of U.S. commodities to help developing countries modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors.
Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund
A fund to reduce economic injury to domestic manufacturers resulting from tariffs on wool fabric that are higher than tariffs on certain apparel articles made of wool fabric.