Opportunity Information: Apply for FAS OTP QSP04232012
Apply for FAS OTP QSP04232012
- The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Funds Availability Quality Samples Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.605 Quality Samples Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 30, 2012 and posted on Apr 30, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 23, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Any United States private or government entity with a demonstrated role or interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities may apply to the program. Government organizations consist of Federal, State, and local agencies. Private organizations include non profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and profit making entities.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service grant opportunity that supports efforts to grow and diversify overseas demand for U.S. agricultural commodities. The central idea is straightforward: help U.S. organizations place commodity samples in the hands of potential foreign buyers so those importers can directly evaluate the quality and suitability of U.S. products. By lowering the upfront burden of getting samples into new markets and pairing those samples with practical, in-country guidance, the program aims to build familiarity, confidence, and ultimately sustained commercial sales of U.S. agricultural goods abroad.
Under QSP, funded participants are expected to manage the full sample-delivery process. That includes procuring the commodity samples (or arranging procurement), organizing export logistics, and providing on-site technical assistance to help importers use the samples successfully. The technical assistance component is mandatory, which reflects the program’s emphasis on more than just shipping product; it is also about ensuring that prospective buyers understand how to handle, process, or apply the commodity in ways that align with their market needs. However, while technical assistance is required, it is not reimbursable under the program.
QSP operates as a reimbursement-based grant. Participants may submit reimbursement claims after project expenses are incurred, and reimbursement is provided only after the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) reviews the claim and confirms it is complete. Reimbursable costs are limited to three main categories: the purchase price of the sample commodity, transportation of the samples within the United States to the port of export, and international transportation from the U.S. port of export to the foreign port or point of entry. Costs are specifically not reimbursed for transport beyond the foreign port or point of entry to the final destination within the foreign country. In addition, CCC will not cover incidental expenses tied to purchasing and shipping, such as inspection charges or documentation fees. This means applicants need to plan budgets carefully, separating eligible freight and sample costs from ineligible administrative or compliance-related expenses.
The opportunity was posted April 30, 2012, with an application deadline of May 23, 2012, and an archive date of May 24, 2012. The funding opportunity number is FAS OTP QSP04232012. It is categorized as a mandatory grant in the agriculture funding activity area, under CFDA number 10.605 (Quality Samples Program). The program anticipated roughly 20 awards, with an estimated total program funding level of $2,500,000. Individual awards were capped at $75,000, with no stated minimum award amount (award floor of $0). There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, although applicants should still expect to cover any non-reimbursable components and cash-flow needs given the reimbursement structure.
Eligibility is broad and includes both private and government U.S. entities that can demonstrate a role or interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities. Eligible government applicants include federal, state, and local agencies. Eligible private applicants include non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and for-profit companies. In practical terms, the program is designed to be accessible to organizations actively engaged in market development, export promotion, or technical support related to U.S. agricultural commodities, provided they can execute sample distribution overseas and deliver the required on-site assistance.
For additional program materials, the listing references “Market Development Programs” as an information link area. For help accessing the full announcement, the point of contact is Elaine Protzman, Program Analyst, reachable by phone at 202-720-5588.
Quality Samples Program (QSP) Grant FAQs
What is the Quality Samples Program (QSP)?
The Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) grant opportunity that supports efforts to grow and diversify overseas demand for U.S. agricultural commodities by helping U.S. organizations place commodity samples with potential foreign buyers.
What is the main purpose of QSP?
The program is designed to lower the upfront burden of getting U.S. commodity samples into new foreign markets and to build familiarity and confidence among potential importers. By enabling buyers to evaluate samples directly (and pairing that with practical in-country guidance), QSP aims to support sustained commercial sales of U.S. agricultural goods abroad.
What kinds of activities does QSP support?
QSP supports the end-to-end delivery of commodity samples to potential foreign buyers. Funded participants are expected to manage the full sample process, including procurement of samples (or arranging procurement), export logistics, and providing on-site technical assistance to help importers use the samples successfully.
Is technical assistance required under QSP?
Yes. The technical assistance component is mandatory. The program emphasizes not only shipping a product sample but also ensuring prospective buyers understand how to handle, process, or apply the commodity in ways that align with their market needs.
Is technical assistance reimbursable under QSP?
No. While technical assistance is required, it is not reimbursable under the program.
How does QSP funding work (reimbursement vs. upfront funding)?
QSP operates as a reimbursement-based grant. Participants incur eligible project expenses first and then submit reimbursement claims. Reimbursement is provided only after the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) reviews the claim and confirms it is complete.
What cost categories are reimbursable under QSP?
Reimbursable costs are limited to three categories:
- The purchase price of the sample commodity
- Transportation of the samples within the United States to the port of export
- International transportation from the U.S. port of export to the foreign port or point of entry
What transportation costs are not reimbursable?
Costs are not reimbursed for transport beyond the foreign port or point of entry to the final destination within the foreign country.
Are incidental expenses like inspection or documentation fees reimbursable?
No. CCC will not cover incidental expenses tied to purchasing and shipping, such as inspection charges or documentation fees.
Does QSP reimburse administrative, compliance-related, or other indirect costs?
The information provided specifies that reimbursement is limited to the purchase price of the sample commodity and certain shipping segments (domestic to port and international to foreign port/point of entry), and it specifically excludes incidental expenses (for example, inspection charges and documentation fees). Other items not listed as reimbursable should be treated as non-reimbursable based on the provided description.
What does an applicant need to plan for because QSP is reimbursement-based?
Applicants should plan for cash-flow needs since expenses are incurred before reimbursement. Applicants should also budget carefully to separate eligible sample and freight costs from non-reimbursable components (including required but non-reimbursable technical assistance and excluded incidental expenses).
Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
No. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity. However, applicants should still expect to cover non-reimbursable components and any cash-flow needs associated with reimbursement timing.
Who is eligible to apply for QSP?
Eligibility is broad and includes both private and government U.S. entities that can demonstrate a role or interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities.
Which government entities are eligible?
Eligible government applicants include federal, state, and local agencies.
Which private entities are eligible?
Eligible private applicants include non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and for-profit companies.
What is the CFDA number for QSP?
The CFDA number is 10.605 (Quality Samples Program).
What is the funding opportunity number for this QSP announcement?
The funding opportunity number is FAS OTP QSP04232012.
What is the funding activity area for this opportunity?
The funding activity area is Agriculture.
Is this opportunity categorized as a mandatory grant?
Yes. It is categorized as a mandatory grant.
When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on April 30, 2012. The application deadline was May 23, 2012, and the archive date was May 24, 2012.
How much total funding was anticipated under this QSP opportunity?
The estimated total program funding level was $2,500,000.
How many awards were anticipated?
The program anticipated roughly 20 awards.
What was the maximum award size?
Individual awards were capped at $75,000.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount was stated. The award floor was listed as $0.
Where can applicants look for additional program materials?
The listing references “Market Development Programs” as an information link area for additional program materials.
Who is the point of contact for help accessing the full announcement?
The point of contact is Elaine Protzman, Program Analyst.
How can the point of contact be reached?
Elaine Protzman can be reached by phone at 202-720-5588.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Notice of Funds Availability Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program
Previous opportunity: Notice of Funds Availability Market Access Program
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 FAS OTP QSP04232012
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FAS OTP QSP04232012) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Notice of Funds Availability Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program Apply for FAS OTP TASC04232012 Funding Number: FAS OTP TASC04232012 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant Apply for RDBCP 12 01 SSDPG Funding Number: RDBCP 12 01 SSDPG Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Pacific Islands Area Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS HI 12 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS HI 12 01 Agency: Hawaii State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| South Sudan Cattle Program Apply for AFPG AFUSSES 12 006 Funding Number: AFPG AFUSSES 12 006 Agency: Bureau of African Affairs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Weed Management and Restoration Apply for P12AC10551 Funding Number: P12AC10551 Agency: National Park Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $52,000 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Food Safety Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 003850 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 003850 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Accelerating the Dispersal and Impact of the Predatory beetle Laricobius nigrinus against Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae in the 7 County High Country Region of Northwestern North Carolina Apply for USDA GRANTS 070312 001 Funding Number: USDA GRANTS 070312 001 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative Technical Assistance Apply for USDA NRCS 12 MD 003 Funding Number: USDA NRCS 12 MD 003 Agency: Maryland State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Global Hunger and Food Security Research Strategy Climate Resilience, Nutrition, and Policy Apply for RFA OAA 12 000036 Funding Number: RFA OAA 12 000036 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000,000 |
| DRAFT PD FOR SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS Apply for NIGERIA DRAFT PD 620 13 00001 Funding Number: NIGERIA DRAFT PD 620 13 00001 Agency: Nigeria USAID Abuja Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Feed the Future Agriculture Technology Transfer Project Apply for USAD GHANA RFA 641 13 000001 Funding Number: USAD GHANA RFA 641 13 000001 Agency: Ghana USAID Accra Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,500,000 |
| Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share Program Apply for AMS NOP 12 0057 Funding Number: AMS NOP 12 0057 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,425,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 003993 Funding Number: USDA NIFA TCRGP 003993 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Scientific Cooperation Research Program Apply for SCRP 2013 RFA Funding Number: SCRP 2013 RFA Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Support to Vulnerable Households (SVH) for Accelerated Rrevenue Earnings Apply for RFA 620 13 000001 Funding Number: RFA 620 13 000001 Agency: Nigeria USAID Abuja Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| India Africa Agriculture Innovation Bridge Program Apply for APS 386 13 000001 Funding Number: APS 386 13 000001 Agency: India USAID New Delhi Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Albania Critical Economic Growth Areas (ACEGA) APS Apply for APS 182 13 000001 Funding Number: APS 182 13 000001 Agency: Hungary USAID Budapest Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Feed the Future Food Security Innovation Lab Collaborative Research on Sorghum and Millet Apply for RFA OAA 13 000003 Funding Number: RFA OAA 13 000003 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $13,700,000 |
| USAID/Rwanda Private Sector Driven Agricultural Growth Apply for AID PRE SOL 696 13 00001 Funding Number: AID PRE SOL 696 13 00001 Agency: Rwanda USAID Kigali Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program with Peoples Republic of China Apply for USDA 2013 SCEP Funding Number: USDA 2013 SCEP Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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 "FAS OTP QSP04232012", 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.