Opportunity Information: Apply for OES OTE 11 004
Apply for OES OTE 11 004
- The Ocean and International Environmental Scientific in the agriculture community development environment food and nutrition natural resources regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Pathways to Increased Market Access for Smallholder Producers Implementing Sustainable Agriculture Practices" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017 Environmental and Scientific Partnerships and Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 19, 2012 and posted on May 17, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 15, 2012 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $247,500.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Public international organizations
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Department of State (DOS), through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), Office of Environmental Policy, offered a discretionary cooperative agreement opportunity to strengthen market access for smallholder farmers and producers who are using sustainable agriculture practices in CAFTA-DR countries and other Pathways to Prosperity partner countries. The grant sits under Pillar IV of the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Initiative, which brings together 15 Western Hemisphere countries aligned around democracy and open markets with the broader goals of inclusive growth, prosperity, and social justice. In practical terms, the opportunity is designed to connect sustainability-focused small producers to stronger and more reliable market channels while encouraging regional collaboration and long-term improvements that last beyond the award period.
The core purpose is to promote the sharing of best practices and to equip small farmers or producers in at least three Pathways countries with concrete tools to reach markets for goods produced through sustainable agricultural methods. While the solicitation does not prescribe a single model, it emphasizes initiatives that translate sustainability into real economic opportunity for rural producers, such as improving the ability to meet buyer requirements, strengthening market linkages, supporting cooperative or network-based approaches, and helping producers compete in higher-value or more stable markets that reward sustainable production. Projects were expected to be regionally and locally grounded, meaning they should not operate as stand-alone pilots with limited community ownership, but instead should reinforce or scale efforts already underway.
A major selection preference is for proposals that build on existing initiatives or ongoing collaborations with local communities, cooperatives, and/or regional networks that support sustainable agriculture. This signals that DOS was looking for implementers who can demonstrate relationships in-country, credibility with producer groups, and a clear understanding of local market constraints. Applicants were also encouraged to partner with other institutions and to leverage additional resources, whether through co-implementation, complementary programming, in-kind support, or aligning the project with existing public, private, or civil-society investments. Although cost sharing was not required, the solicitation clearly values applicants that can multiply the impact of the federal funds through partnerships and coordination.
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, including U.S. nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, foreign not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions (both public and private institutions of higher education), and public international organizations. The opportunity also stressed that applicants must have significant experience working with small farmers or producers and/or rural communities in the Western Hemisphere, reflecting an expectation of proven technical and programmatic capacity in agricultural development, community-based engagement, and cross-border or regional work.
Financially, DOS anticipated awarding up to USD 247,500, subject to Congressional approval of funds. There was no stated award floor, and no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The instrument type was a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates that DOS expected to have substantial involvement during implementation (for example, coordination on activities, alignment with policy objectives, and collaboration on deliverables) compared to a standard grant. The period of performance was expected to run roughly 18 to 30 months, giving implementers time to establish partnerships, deliver producer-facing assistance, and demonstrate progress toward durable market access improvements.
From an administrative standpoint, the funding opportunity number was OES OTE 11 004, and it was cataloged under CFDA 19.017 (Environmental and Scientific Partnerships and Programs). It was posted in mid-May 2012, with an application closing date of June 15, 2012, and an archive date of July 15, 2012. The stated funding authority was the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended. Program inquiries were directed to Maina C. Martir Torres at the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (MartirTorresMC@state.gov; 1-202-647-4750), while technical help accessing the announcement was routed through the Grants.gov Contact Center (support@grants.gov; 1-800-518-4726).
Overall, this opportunity targeted implementers who could combine sustainable agriculture expertise with practical market-development experience, operate credibly across multiple Pathways partner countries, and design activities that produce lasting improvements for smallholder producers. The strongest proposals, based on the solicitation language, would be those that show clear regional and local integration, leverage partnerships and existing efforts, and present a realistic pathway for small farmers using sustainable practices to meet market demand and sustain the benefits well after the cooperative agreement ends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This was a discretionary cooperative agreement funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of State (DOS), Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), Office of Environmental Policy. It focused on strengthening market access for smallholder farmers and producers using sustainable agriculture practices in eligible Western Hemisphere countries.
What is the main goal of the program?
The core purpose was to promote best-practice sharing and equip small farmers or producers with practical tools to reach stronger, more reliable markets for goods produced through sustainable agricultural methods. The opportunity emphasized turning sustainability into real economic opportunity for rural producers.
Which initiative does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity sits under Pillar IV of the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Initiative, a framework bringing together 15 Western Hemisphere countries aligned around democracy and open markets, with broader goals including inclusive growth, prosperity, and social justice.
Which countries were intended to benefit?
The program targeted CAFTA-DR countries and other Pathways to Prosperity partner countries. Projects were expected to work with small farmers or producers in at least three Pathways countries.
How many countries must a project cover?
Projects were expected to support small farmers or producers in at least three Pathways to Prosperity partner countries.
What kinds of activities were encouraged?
The solicitation did not prescribe a single project model, but emphasized activities that improve sustainable producers' ability to access markets. Examples highlighted in the opportunity include helping producers meet buyer requirements, strengthening market linkages, supporting cooperative or network-based approaches, and helping producers compete in higher-value or more stable markets that reward sustainable production.
Does the program require a specific implementation model?
No. The solicitation did not require one specific model. Instead, it prioritized approaches that translate sustainable agricultural practices into measurable market access improvements and durable economic opportunity for rural producers.
What does "market access" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In practical terms, the opportunity aimed to connect sustainability-focused small producers to stronger and more reliable market channels. The emphasis was on meeting buyer requirements, building market linkages, and improving competitiveness in markets that value sustainable production.
Were projects expected to be locally grounded?
Yes. Projects were expected to be regionally and locally grounded and not operate as stand-alone pilots with limited community ownership. They were expected to reinforce or scale efforts already underway so improvements last beyond the award period.
Was there a preference for building on existing initiatives?
Yes. A major selection preference was for proposals that build on existing initiatives or ongoing collaborations with local communities, cooperatives, and/or regional networks supporting sustainable agriculture.
Were partnerships encouraged?
Yes. Applicants were encouraged to partner with other institutions and leverage additional resources through co-implementation, complementary programming, in-kind support, or alignment with existing public, private, or civil-society investments.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing was not required. However, the solicitation clearly valued applicants who could leverage partnerships and coordination to multiply the impact of federal funds.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, including U.S. nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, foreign not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions (public and private institutions of higher education), and public international organizations.
Did applicants need specific experience?
Yes. The opportunity stressed that applicants must have significant experience working with small farmers or producers and/or rural communities in the Western Hemisphere, signaling an expectation of proven technical and programmatic capacity.
What type of award instrument was used?
The instrument type was a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates substantial involvement by DOS during implementation, such as coordination on activities, alignment with policy objectives, and collaboration on deliverables, compared to a standard grant.
How much funding was available?
DOS anticipated awarding up to USD 247,500, subject to Congressional approval of funds.
Was there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No award floor was stated in the opportunity description provided.
How long was the expected project period?
The period of performance was expected to be roughly 18 to 30 months.
When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?
The opportunity was posted in mid-May 2012. The application closing date was June 15, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was July 15, 2012.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number was OES OTE 11 004.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity was cataloged under CFDA 19.017 (Environmental and Scientific Partnerships and Programs).
What was the funding authority for this award?
The stated funding authority was the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.
Who should applicants contact with program questions?
Program inquiries were directed to Maina C. Martir Torres at the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (MartirTorresMC@state.gov; 1-202-647-4750).
Who provides technical help for accessing the announcement?
Technical help accessing the announcement was routed through the Grants.gov Contact Center (support@grants.gov; 1-800-518-4726).
What types of outcomes did DOS appear to prioritize?
Based on the solicitation language provided, DOS prioritized projects that create lasting improvements in market access for sustainability-focused small producers, demonstrate regional and local integration, and leverage existing efforts and partnerships so benefits persist beyond the cooperative agreement period.
What would likely make a proposal more competitive under this opportunity?
The solicitation language suggests stronger proposals would demonstrate credible in-country relationships, collaboration with local communities/cooperatives/regional networks, alignment with ongoing initiatives, and a clear pathway for small farmers using sustainable practices to meet market demand and sustain benefits after the award ends.
Browse more business programs for Agriculture Services
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Ocean and International Environmental Scientific
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Community Development Environment Food and Nutrition Natural Resources Regional Development
Next opportunity: 2012 Joint Fire Science Program Proposal
Previous opportunity: Results Focused Monitoring and Evaluation of Work Implementing Environmental Cooperation Mechanisms
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 OES OTE 11 004
[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 "OES OTE 11 004", 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.