USDA INVITES STATES TO APPLY FOR MARKET IMPROVEMENT FUNDS
News Date December 11, 2007
USDA is inviting state departments of agriculture and other appropriate state agencies to submit proposals for matching grant funds under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). These funds may be requested for a wide range of research projects that help to market, transport and distribute U.S. food and agricultural products domestically and internationally. Federal funds awarded must be matched by non-federal funds or in-kind resources. USDA is particularly interested in proposals that involve collaboration among the states, academia, producers and other stakeholders, and in proposals that have state, regional or national significance.
USDA anticipates that about $1.3 million will be available for FSMIP grants in fiscal year 2008, with funds allocated on the basis of one round of competition. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service administers the program. Program guidelines, application forms and other related information are posted at http://www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm. Applicants have the option of submitting applications through the federal grants website: http://www.grants.gov. The deadline for submitting applications is February 11, 2008.
NASDA supports the FSMIP program and increased funding for the program. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)