2027 Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service is soliciting applications for the 2027 Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program on a competitive basis, with an application deadline of August 14, 2026.

Eligible applicants are nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations. All U.S. agricultural commodities except tobacco are eligible for consideration. Applicants must maintain active registrations on SAM.gov and demonstrate they promote agricultural exports without having business interests in or receiving compensation from specific commodity sales.

Cost sharing is required at minimum levels specified in 7 CFR 1484.12. Indirect costs are not permitted.

Total anticipated federal funding is $69 million, with approximately 20 awards expected. Individual awards typically range from $50,000 to $250,000. Applicants submit through the web-based Unified Export Strategy (UES) system at https://apps.fas.usda.gov/ues2. Questions are due July 24, 2026.

The program funds nonprofit cooperators to create, expand, and maintain long-term export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products through overseas marketing and promotional activities. Recipients must implement market development activities in foreign markets that benefit U.S. farmers, processors, and exporters.

Applications undergo five-phase review. Phase 1 screens for eligibility and completeness. Phase 2 scores applications across strategic planning (25 points), program management and implementation (25 points), and program evaluation and results reporting (50 points). Phase 3 develops funding recommendations based on reviewer scores and performance history. Phase 4 applies a formula adjusting funding based on contribution levels, past export performance, demand expansion performance, future goals, and projection accuracy. Phase 5 finalizes recommendations through USDA/FAS leadership review.

Recipients must submit financial reports within six months of program year end, annual performance reports with comparisons to baselines and targets, and success stories. Grant records must be retained for three years from final expenditure report submission.

The program is authorized under the Agricultural Export Trade Expansion Act of 1978 and governed by 7 CFR Part 1484. CFDA 10.600.