Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS FFPR 16
Apply for USDA FAS FFPR 16
- The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food for Progress Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.606 Food for Progress.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 16, 2015 and posted on Jul 16, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 14, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Private Voluntary Organizations, Cooperatives, Intergovernmental Organizations, Foreign Governments
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Food for Progress Program is a U.S. government grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). The program is designed to support agricultural and broader rural economic development in developing countries and emerging democracies that are actively working to introduce or expand free enterprise within their agricultural economies. A core feature of the program is the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to eligible partner countries. In many cases, those commodities are then "monetized," meaning they are sold in the recipient country’s local market, and the cash proceeds from those sales are used to finance on-the-ground development activities. The overall intent is to help strengthen agricultural systems in ways that increase revenue, expand production capacity, and raise incomes, especially for farmers and other participants across the agricultural value chain.
This particular opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number USDA FAS FFPR 16 and is categorized as a discretionary funding opportunity. Awards are expected to be made through cooperative agreements, which generally means the USDA anticipates substantial involvement in the project during implementation, rather than simply providing funds with minimal federal participation. The funding activity is primarily agricultural, but the scope also explicitly aligns with food aid, food assistance, international development, and agriculture-related interventions. The program’s funding approach is closely tied to using commodity donations as a catalyst for agricultural market development, value chain improvements, and institutional strengthening, with the monetization proceeds serving as a major source of financing for project activities.
The opportunity anticipated making about seven awards. It is listed under CFDA Number 10.606 (Food for Progress). There is no cost sharing or matching requirement specified, which can reduce barriers for applicants that may not have access to significant non-federal resources. The original and final closing date for applications in this announcement was October 14, 2015, with an archive date of November 13, 2015, indicating that this specific solicitation has closed, even though the program itself may have future rounds depending on USDA priorities and appropriations.
Eligibility for this solicitation was open to a defined set of organizational types rather than the general public. Eligible applicants included Private Voluntary Organizations, Cooperatives, Intergovernmental Organizations, and Foreign Governments. This eligibility list reflects the program’s international development and food assistance focus and suggests that projects are expected to be implemented by entities with relevant operational capacity, local partnerships, and experience managing development activities funded through commodity-based or grant-based mechanisms.
For applicants or interested parties who needed access to the full solicitation details, the announcement referenced an additional information link pointing to the official Food for Progress Program solicitation document. The listed point of contact for access issues and questions was Nicola Sakhleh, Branch Chief, reachable by phone at 202-720-4221, along with an email address indicated as the account for all inquiries and questions.
Food for Progress Program (USDA FAS) - FAQs
What is the Food for Progress Program?
The Food for Progress Program is a U.S. government grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). It supports agricultural and broader rural economic development in developing countries and emerging democracies that are actively working to introduce or expand free enterprise within their agricultural economies.
What is the main goal of this program?
The program aims to strengthen agricultural systems in ways that increase revenue, expand production capacity, and raise incomes, especially for farmers and others across the agricultural value chain.
How does the program support projects (what is the core feature)?
A core feature is the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to eligible partner countries. Those commodities are often used as a catalyst for agricultural market development, value chain improvements, and institutional strengthening.
What does "monetization" mean in this program?
In many cases, donated commodities are "monetized," meaning they are sold in the recipient country’s local market. The cash proceeds from those sales are then used to finance on-the-ground development activities.
What kinds of activities does the funding support?
The opportunity is primarily agricultural, and it also aligns with food aid, food assistance, international development, and agriculture-related interventions. The intent is to fund development activities that strengthen agricultural markets and systems using commodity donations and (when applicable) monetization proceeds.
Who runs this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is USDA FAS FFPR 16.
Is this a discretionary or mandatory funding opportunity?
It is categorized as a discretionary funding opportunity.
What type of award is expected?
Awards are expected to be made through cooperative agreements. This generally indicates USDA anticipates substantial involvement in the project during implementation, rather than providing funding with minimal federal participation.
How many awards were anticipated under this solicitation?
The announcement anticipated making about seven awards.
What is the CFDA number for the Food for Progress Program?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA Number 10.606 (Food for Progress).
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is specified in the information provided for this solicitation.
When was the application deadline for this specific announcement?
The original and final closing date for applications was October 14, 2015.
Is this specific solicitation still open?
No. The archive date was November 13, 2015, which indicates this specific solicitation has closed (even though the program itself may have future rounds depending on USDA priorities and appropriations).
Who was eligible to apply under this solicitation?
Eligibility was limited to specific organizational types. Eligible applicants included Private Voluntary Organizations, Cooperatives, Intergovernmental Organizations, and Foreign Governments.
Is the general public eligible to apply?
No. The eligibility for this solicitation was open only to a defined set of organizational types rather than the general public.
What countries does the program focus on?
The program is designed to support developing countries and emerging democracies that are actively working to introduce or expand free enterprise within their agricultural economies.
How are project activities financed?
The funding approach is closely tied to commodity donations, and in many cases the monetization proceeds (cash generated by selling the donated commodities in local markets) serve as a major source of financing for project activities.
Where could applicants find the full solicitation details?
The announcement referenced an additional information link pointing to the official Food for Progress Program solicitation document.
Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?
The listed point of contact was Nicola Sakhleh, Branch Chief.
What contact information was provided for the point of contact?
Nicola Sakhleh could be reached by phone at 202-720-4221. The announcement also referenced an email address indicated as the account for all inquiries and questions.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: McGovern Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program
Previous opportunity: Middle East Water Security Initiative (MWSI)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA FAS FFPR 16
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA FAS FFPR 16", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.
