Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA AMS FSMIP 2015
Apply for USDA AMS FSMIP 2015
- The Agricultural Marketing Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2015 Federal State Marketing Improvement Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.156 Federal State Marketing Improvement Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 16, 2015 and posted on Mar 16, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 14, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The 2015 Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to fund research-driven projects that improve how U.S. agricultural products are marketed. The program is designed to help eligible applicants explore new market opportunities, reduce barriers in the marketing system, and encourage innovation that boosts the efficiency and performance of agricultural marketing across the country. For 2015, the total amount available for awards was approximately $1,000,000, with individual awards expected to range from $50,000 (award floor) to $150,000 (award ceiling). FSMIP is a cost-share program, meaning applicants must provide matching funds rather than relying entirely on federal dollars.
Projects are expected to have a clear and strong marketing focus and must include a research component. USDA is looking for proposals that generate knowledge, test approaches, or produce evidence-based recommendations that can improve marketing outcomes for the agricultural sector. While proposals can address issues at any point in the marketing chain, they should connect directly to real marketing challenges or opportunities in direct-to-consumer channels, wholesale markets, or retail systems. The key point is that the work should be aimed at improving marketing performance, not simply supporting production activities.
Eligibility for this funding is limited to state governments and public/state-controlled institutions of higher education. The primary beneficiaries of funded projects must be agricultural producers and agribusinesses, and the benefits must extend beyond a single business or individual. Proposals that only help one company or one person are explicitly not considered. Instead, USDA is looking for projects that deliver broader value, such as improving market access for multiple producers, strengthening regional supply chains, developing scalable marketing strategies, or producing tools and data that many operations can use. Projects can involve small, medium, or large agricultural entities, but they should be structured to create outcomes that apply across multiple producers, firms, or communities.
FSMIP also allows training or education activities, but only when those efforts are paired with research that evaluates whether the training actually advances marketing goals. In other words, a workshop series by itself would not be enough; applicants would need to study results in a measurable way, such as assessing changes in market participation, price realization, buyer relationships, market readiness, or other relevant marketing outcomes. Proposals are appropriate if they address issues at the state, multi-state, or national level, and the program places special value on collaboration among partners such as state agencies, universities, the farm sector, and other relevant stakeholders.
In addition to larger efforts, USDA is open to smaller, more unique proposals that function as pilot projects or case studies, as long as they are designed to be useful beyond the immediate location. For these smaller projects, applicants are expected to analyze the opportunity and produce recommendations on how the approach could be expanded or replicated in other regions. This emphasis on transferability and scaling reflects the program goal of improving the wider agricultural marketing system, not just solving a one-off problem.
Key administrative details for the 2015 cycle include the funding opportunity number USDA AMS FSMIP 2015, CFDA number 10.156, and the classification of the opportunity as a discretionary grant in the agriculture category. The announcement was posted March 16, 2015, and the application deadline was May 14, 2015, with an archive date of June 13, 2015. USDA also scheduled a technical assistance teleconference to walk through the Request for Applications and answer questions on Tuesday, March 31 at 2:00 pm Eastern; prospective participants were instructed to email janise.zygmont@ams.usda.gov in advance for call-in instructions. For access issues or questions, the listed contact was Janise Zygmont, Staff Officer, at 202-720-5024, and applicants were directed to the FSMIP website for the Request for Applications and related materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - 2015 Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)
What is the 2015 Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)?
The 2015 Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). It funds research-driven projects designed to improve how U.S. agricultural products are marketed by exploring new market opportunities, reducing barriers in the marketing system, and encouraging marketing innovation that improves efficiency and performance.
Who runs and administers FSMIP?
FSMIP is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
What kinds of projects does FSMIP fund?
FSMIP funds projects with a clear and strong marketing focus that include a research component. Projects are expected to generate knowledge, test approaches, or produce evidence-based recommendations that improve marketing outcomes for the agricultural sector.
Does a project have to be research-based to be eligible?
Yes. Projects must include a research component. USDA is looking for work that evaluates marketing challenges or opportunities and produces findings or recommendations supported by evidence.
Can projects focus on any part of the marketing chain?
Yes. Proposals can address issues at any point in the marketing chain, but they should connect directly to real marketing challenges or opportunities in direct-to-consumer channels, wholesale markets, or retail systems.
Are production-focused projects allowed?
Projects should be aimed at improving marketing performance, not simply supporting production activities. The emphasis is on marketing improvement rather than production support.
Is training or education allowed under FSMIP?
Training or education activities are allowed only when paired with research that evaluates whether the training advances marketing goals. A training series by itself is not sufficient under the program expectations.
What does USDA mean by pairing training with research?
It means applicants should study results in a measurable way. The announcement provides examples of relevant outcomes such as changes in market participation, price realization, buyer relationships, market readiness, or other marketing-related outcomes.
Who is eligible to apply for the 2015 FSMIP funding?
Eligibility is limited to state governments and public/state-controlled institutions of higher education.
Who must benefit from an FSMIP-funded project?
The primary beneficiaries must be agricultural producers and agribusinesses. In addition, the benefits must extend beyond a single business or individual.
Are projects that benefit only one company allowed?
No. Proposals that only help one company or one person are explicitly not considered. USDA is looking for broader value that supports multiple producers, firms, or communities.
What are examples of broader benefits USDA is looking for?
Examples described in the opportunity include improving market access for multiple producers, strengthening regional supply chains, developing scalable marketing strategies, or producing tools and data that many operations can use.
Can projects involve small, medium, or large agricultural entities?
Yes. Projects can involve small, medium, or large agricultural entities, but they should be structured to create outcomes that apply across multiple producers, firms, or communities.
Are pilot projects or case studies acceptable?
Yes. USDA is open to smaller, more unique proposals that function as pilot projects or case studies, as long as they are designed to be useful beyond the immediate location.
What does USDA expect from smaller pilot or case study projects?
Applicants are expected to analyze the opportunity and produce recommendations on how the approach could be expanded or replicated in other regions. The program emphasizes transferability and scaling to improve the wider agricultural marketing system.
What level or geographic scope can projects address?
Projects are appropriate if they address issues at the state, multi-state, or national level.
Does USDA value collaboration in FSMIP projects?
Yes. The program places special value on collaboration among partners such as state agencies, universities, the farm sector, and other relevant stakeholders.
How much funding was available in 2015?
For 2015, the total amount available for awards was approximately $1,000,000.
What is the expected award size?
Individual awards were expected to range from $50,000 (award floor) to $150,000 (award ceiling).
Is FSMIP a cost-share program?
Yes. FSMIP is a cost-share program, meaning applicants must provide matching funds rather than relying entirely on federal dollars.
What type of grant is this?
The opportunity is classified as a discretionary grant in the agriculture category.
What is the funding opportunity number for the 2015 cycle?
The funding opportunity number is USDA AMS FSMIP 2015.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 10.156.
When was the opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on March 16, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was May 14, 2015.
When was the archive date?
The archive date was June 13, 2015.
Was technical assistance offered for applicants?
Yes. USDA scheduled a technical assistance teleconference to walk through the Request for Applications and answer questions.
When was the technical assistance teleconference scheduled?
It was scheduled for Tuesday, March 31 at 2:00 pm Eastern.
How did prospective participants get call-in instructions for the teleconference?
Prospective participants were instructed to email janise.zygmont@ams.usda.gov in advance for call-in instructions.
Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?
The listed contact was Janise Zygmont, Staff Officer.
What phone number was provided for the program contact?
The phone number provided was 202-720-5024.
Where were applicants directed to find the Request for Applications and related materials?
Applicants were directed to the FSMIP website for the Request for Applications and related materials.
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