Enhancing Biotechnology Market Opportunities for U.S. Exporters and American Farmers
🏛 Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. public and private nonprofit organizations that engage in international agricultural biotechnology outreach and capacity building. Eligible applicants include state and federal institutions of higher education, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, quasi-public organizations, and other private institutions. Organizations must be able to design and deliver in-person or virtual workshops and training events internationally. Geographic scope is global with focus on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and multilateral economic bodies. The program supports activities that remove barriers to agricultural biotechnology adoption and trade.
Eligible activities include organizing seminars, workshops, and collaborative training events. These must engage government officials, scientists, and key stakeholders. Activities should facilitate high-level policy dialogue on agricultural biotechnology topics. Participants can be from trading partner countries or relevant international economic organizations.
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Program description
Modern agricultural biotechnology such as genome editing is a revolutionary tool that could transform the sustainability and viability of the agriculture sector. American farmers rely on agricultural biotechnology products, with over 90% of corn and soybeans derived from these technologies. In 2025, American farmers exported over $51 billion in agricultural biotechnology products worldwide. However, the biotechnology policies of many trading partners in Europe, Africa, Western Hemisphere (Latin America), and Asia limit the trading potential for American agricultural biotechnology products. Additionally, many trading partners lack regulatory frameworks for the development, commercialization, and trade of animal biotechnology products, which limits U.S. innovation and economic development. The absence of a trade-facilitative system slows the potential of these innovative products which are already in active development.
This NOFO is intended to support activities that promote the America First policy agenda by expanding market access for U.S. agricultural products derived from biotechnology through the removal of barriers to the adoption, use, and trade of these products. Targeted engagement with trading partners and relevant stakeholders is critical to U.S. agricultural exports, and this funding opportunity supports efforts to protect and expand American agricultural production and trade.
The recipient of this award will collaborate with USDA/FAS in the design and implementation of in-person and/or virtual seminars, workshops, and collaborative training events in Africa, Asia, Western Hemisphere/Latin America/Americas and other relevant economic bodies and organizations such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the African Union, the European Union, and others. These activities seek to support high level policy dialogue on agricultural biotechnology. USDA/FAS will work with the recipient on the selection of workshop venues, and the selection of participants to include country/government officials, scientists, key speakers and stakeholders. In addition, USDA/FAS and the recipient will collaboratively identify methods to evaluate the participants’ increase in knowledge on biotechnology topics.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Statement of Work
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational documentation (tax exemption status, if applicable)
- Proof of eligibility and institutional authorization
Program contact
- 👤 Kendra Arrington Grantor
- 📧 andre.ntamack@usda.gov
- 📞 202-690-5503
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 10.960 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.960). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $12,931,193 | |
| 2025 | $5,151,041 | |
| 2026 est. | $11,269,061 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Public and private nonprofit organizations, universities, hospitals, and other public institutions. U.S. state institutions, territories, and possessions are also eligible.
What types of activities does this grant fund?
Seminars, workshops, and collaborative training events on agricultural biotechnology. Activities must engage international policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders. Virtual or in-person events are supported.
What is the deadline and when does the application period open?
The deadline is August 17, 2026. Contact USDA FAS for specific opening dates and application procedures.
What regions or countries are targeted?
Activities should focus on Africa, Asia, Latin America/Western Hemisphere, and multilateral organizations like APEC and the African Union. Some EU engagement may be considered.
How much funding is available?
Up to $500,000 per award. The total program has $2,000,000 in funding. No cost sharing is required.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize collaboration with USDA/FAS early. This grant requires joint planning on venue selection and participant recruitment.
- Design activities around high-level policy dialogue. Focus on removing trade barriers and promoting biotechnology adoption in target regions.
- Include clear evaluation methods. Propose specific ways to measure participants' knowledge gains on biotechnology topics.
- Target government officials and key decision-makers. Activities should engage people who influence biotechnology policy in trading partner countries.
- Demonstrate international expertise. Show experience managing events in Africa, Asia, or Latin America with relevant stakeholders.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals that lack clear collaboration plans with USDA/FAS fail. Weak evaluation frameworks for measuring participant knowledge gains reduce competitiveness. Applications missing specific geographic focus or targeting wrong regions get rejected.
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