2027 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops
🏛 Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. organizations seeking to remove barriers to exporting American specialty crops. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, universities, agricultural cooperatives, trade associations, state regional trade groups, government agencies, and private companies. All applicants must have active SAM.gov registration before the deadline. Foreign entities may participate as subrecipients or in-kind partners only, not as primary recipients.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The TASC program is designed to assist U.S. organizations by providing funding for projects that seek to remove, resolve, or mitigate existing or potential sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Proof of SAM.gov registration
- Letters of support from industry partners
- Cost sharing documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Kendra Arrington Grantor
- 📧 curt.alt@usda.gov
- 📞 202-690-5503
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.604 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$311,709
-
$202,868
-
$166,021
-
$134,526
-
$108,849
-
$69,465
-
$54,885
-
$53,531
-
$53,531
-
$52,833
Top States by Funding
- MO 42 awards $1.4M
- MD 5 awards $0.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.604). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $9,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $9,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $9,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
U.S. nonprofits, universities, cooperatives, trade associations, government agencies, and private companies working on agricultural specialty crop exports. Foreign organizations cannot be primary recipients.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, or technical export barriers. This includes standards work, technical assistance, and barrier mitigation activities.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required. Check the announcement for the required percentage.
What is the deadline?
The application deadline is August 14, 2026. It's a fixed deadline with no extensions.
Can foreign partners participate?
Foreign organizations can participate as subrecipients or in-kind partners, but not as the main grant recipient.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Verify active SAM.gov registration at least one week before the deadline. Inactive or expired status results in automatic ineligibility.
- Focus proposals on concrete export barriers. Clearly demonstrate how the project will improve U.S. specialty crop competitiveness.
- Include letters of support from industry partners, exporters, or importers to show demonstrated industry interest.
- Document matching funds early. Cost sharing is required, so identify committed resources from your organization or partners.
- Align your project timeline with market windows and regulatory deadlines that affect specialty crop exports.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to maintain active SAM.gov registration is the top reason for ineligibility. Not clearly connecting the project to specific export barriers reduces competitiveness. Underestimating the cost share requirement or failing to secure committed matching funds damages proposal credibility.
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