Assisting Specialty Crop Exports: Increasing Data Generation for Codex and Harmonized MRL Setting | USDA FAS 10621 0750 10 24 0002

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10621 0750 10 24 0002

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and specifically the Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building program area, is offering a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Assisting Specialty Crop Exports: Increasing Data Generation for Codex and Harmonized MRL Setting." The central goal of the grant is to strengthen and expand export opportunities for U.S. specialty crops in both existing and emerging foreign markets by addressing regulatory barriers that can limit trade. In practical terms, the opportunity focuses on generating and supporting the kind of scientific and technical data that countries and international standard-setting bodies rely on when establishing pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs), including work tied to Codex Alimentarius standards and efforts to harmonize MRLs across markets.

This opportunity will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the USDA expects to be actively involved during the project period rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The funding is associated with CFDA number 10.621, and the opportunity is categorized under Agriculture. The total award amount can be up to $2,000,000 (the award ceiling), and USDA anticipates making a single award, suggesting the agency is looking for one lead implementer capable of managing a national or broad multi-crop effort rather than multiple smaller projects.

Eligibility is listed as "Others," and applicants are directed to consult Section C of the official funding opportunity announcement for the exact eligibility requirements and any conditions or documentation that may be needed. This category often includes entities outside of standard state or local government applicants, such as nonprofit organizations, commodity groups, trade associations, universities, research institutions, or other specialized organizations with the technical capacity to manage data generation and engagement with regulatory or standards-setting processes. Because the initiative is tied to exports and international regulatory alignment, strong applicants would generally be those with demonstrated expertise in pesticide residue data, international regulatory systems, Codex processes, and close working relationships with specialty crop stakeholders and exporters.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number USDA FAS 10621 0750 10 24 0002 and an original application closing date of July 17, 2024. The opportunity was created on May 17, 2024. Overall, the program is designed to reduce trade friction caused by inconsistent or missing MRLs and to support market access for U.S. specialty crop exporters by helping ensure that residue standards are science-based, internationally recognized where possible, and better aligned across importing countries.

• The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assisting Specialty Crop Exports: Increasing Data Generation for Codex and Harmonized MRL Setting" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.621.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA FAS 10621 0750 10 24 0002

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