Emerging Markets Program

Objective

The primary objective of the Emerging Markets Program is to promote, enhance, or expand the exports of U.S. agricultural commodities to overseas emerging markets through cost-share assistance to eligible organizations that implement activities aimed at enhancing the food and rural business systems of eligible emerging markets.

Who Can Apply

• Unrestricted by Entity Type

Applicants must be a: (1) U. S. agricultural or agribusiness organization -- nonprofit, trade association, university, consultant group (under certain conditions), (2) State Department of Agriculture, (3) USDA agency (or other Federal agency involved in agricultural issues), or (4) commercial entities.

Who Benefits

• Specific Restrictions Determined at NOFO Level

All EMP projects must fall into at least one of the following four categories: (a) Market Assessments: Assistance to teams (consisting primarily of agricultural consultants, agricultural producers, other persons from the private sector, and government officials expert in assessing the food and rural business systems of other countries) to enable those teams to make assessments of the food and rural business systems needs of the target market. This type of EMP project must accomplish all three of the following elements: 1. Conduct an assessment of the food and rural business system needs of an emerging market; 2. Make recommendations on measures necessary to enhance the effectiveness of those systems, including potential reductions in trade barriers; and 3. Identify opportunities and projects to enhance the effectiveness of the emerging market’s food and rural business systems. (b) Subsistence Travel to Emerging Markets: Assistance to enable United States food and rural business system experts, including United States agricultural producers and other United States individuals knowledgeable in agricultural and agribusiness matters, to assist in transferring knowledge and expertise to entities from emerging markets. (c) Subsistence Travel to the United States: Assistance to enable individuals designated by emerging markets to consult with such United States experts to enhance the food and rural business systems of such emerging markets and to transfer knowledge and expertise to such emerging markets. (d) Technical Training: Technical assistance to enable individuals or other entities to carry out recommendations, projects, and opportunities in emerging markets. Proposals that do not fall into one or more of the four categories above, regardless of previous guidance provided regarding the EMP, are not eligible for consideration under the program.

Assistance Types

• Grant

Program Contact

curt.alt@usda.gov
2026904784