THE ASSISTING SPECIALTY CROP EXPORTS SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING INNOVATION LAB (ASCE-SPIL) PROJECT SEEKS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE U.S. SPECIALTY CROP EXPORTS BY DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO EMERGING FOREIGN REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PACKAGING AND LABELING OF SPECIALTY CROPS. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE U.S. SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCERS AND EXPORTERS, REGULATORY OFFICIALS, FARMERS, PRIVATE SECTOR, ACADEMIA, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AS APPROPRIATE. THE RECIPIENT OF THIS AWARD WILL ACT AS THE MANAGING ENTITY OF ASCE-SPIL. IN THIS CAPACITY, THE RECIPIENT WILL ESTABLISH THE ASCE-SPIL AND DEVELOP, SELECT, AND MANAGE A PORTFOLIO OF SUBAWARDS FOR INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS WORKING ON SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING R &D AND COMMERCIALIZATION PILOT ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT U.S. EXPORTS OF SPECIALTY CROPS.