Market Access Program

MAP award recipients will implement various market development activities in foreign markets to develop, expand, and maintain foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products. These activities will benefit U.S. farmers, ranchers, food processors, and m

To encourage the development, maintenance, and expansion of commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products by reimbursing participating organizations for a portion of the costs of carrying out overseas marketing and promotional activities.

To be approved, applicants must be: (1) A nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organization; (2) a nonprofit State regional trade group; (3) a U.S. agricultural cooperative; or (4) a State agency.

CCC will enter into MAP agreements only where the eligible agricultural commodity is comprised of at least 50 percent U.S. origin content by weight, exclusive of added water.

U.S. applicants must prove the ability to provide a competent experienced staff and other resources to assure adequate development, supervision, and execution of promotional activities. Applicants must submit a written export strategy that provides the information listed in the annual NOFO. Other documentation may be required and will be specified in the annual NOFO.

Market Access Program (MAP) funds are authorized through program agreements that provide for partial reimbursement of eligible promotional expenses in a Unified Export Strategy application approved by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the agency that administers the program for the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). MAP participants may receive assistance for either generic or brand promotion activities. Program funds help finance activities such as consumer advertising, point of sale demonstrations, public relations, trade servicing activities, participation in trade fairs and exhibits, market research, and technical assistance.

Assistance is provided for a single year.

An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicant(s) must contact their State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the State's process under Executive Order 12372 (https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html) Name and addresses of the SPOCs are maintained at the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SPOC-February-2019.pdf

The application procedures are detailed in the annual NOFOs published to Grants.gov.

The criteria for selecting proposals will be detailed in the annual NOFOs.

Proposals are evaluated by FAS, which rates the qualifications of applicants and determines an appropriate level of funding.

Deadlines will appear in the annual Notice of Funding Opportunity posted to Grants.gov.