2020 Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program

The 2020 Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program is a funding opportunity for nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations to develop and maintain foreign markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. The program provides cost-share assistance for overseas marketing and promotion activities. Key aspects of the program include: * Eligible organizations must be nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations with broad producer representation and nationwide membership. * Eligible activities include generic marketing and promotion activities that do not involve direct consumer promotions. * The program operates on a reimbursement basis, and funding is allocated based on a competitive review process. * Applicants must provide a clear, long-term agricultural trade strategy and an effective program timeline. * The program aims to support the development, maintenance, and expansion of commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. Some key points to consider are: • The program is authorized under Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978. • Funding is provided under 7 U.S.C. 5623(f). • The program is administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). • The program has a funding availability of $34.5 million for fiscal year 2020. • Applications must be received by June 28, 2019. • Initial funding selections will be made by the end of October 2019, with initial award dates estimated to be by the end of December 2019.