USDA FAS Emerging Markets Program (EMP)
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
Varies — $8M across ~40 awards
Develop emerging markets for US agri exports
EMP funds assessments and technical assistance projects that develop, maintain, or expand export opportunities for US agricultural commodities and products in emerging markets globally. For-profit US entities — consulting firms, agribusinesses, cooperatives, and trade associations — are eligible. Projects include feasibility studies, market assessments, training programs, and technical seminars focused on agricultural export potential in developing and emerging economies.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $400,000
- Realistic amount
- Most EMP awards range from $75,000 to $300,000 per project. Projects focused on multi-country market assessments for maj…
- Deadline
- Annual — FY2026 deadline was June 6, 2025 (passed). FY2027 expected to open spring 2026.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- US nonprofit, for-profit, and government entities are all eligible to apply
- Eligible private entities include: nonprofit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, consulting businesses, research institutions, and profit-making entities
- Must be a US domestic entity
- Projects must target 'emerging markets' — developing countries and transitional economies with agricultural import potential
- 10% non-federal cost share required
- Activities must focus on assessment, technical assistance, or market development — not private commercial promotion of a single company's products
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Market feasibility studies and assessments in emerging market countries
- Agricultural trade seminars, workshops, and technical training programs
- Export market development technical assistance to foreign buyers or government agencies
- Study tours for foreign buyers or agricultural officials to US facilities
- Publications, translations, and technical materials for emerging market audiences
- Consultant fees for agricultural export strategy development
Ineligible expenses
- Activities that promote private business interests of a single company (must be industry-wide or sector-level)
- Consumer advertising or brand promotion
- Domestic US activities (must target markets outside the US)
- Activities in markets that are already fully developed (EMP targets emerging/developing markets)
How to apply
-
1
Identify an emerging market opportunity for US agricultural exports
Target a specific agricultural commodity or product and an emerging market country or region with growth potential for US exports. Document the market opportunity and the barrier or knowledge gap that your project will address.
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2
Register in SAM.gov and Grants.gov
Ensure SAM.gov UEI and Grants.gov registrations are active before the application window opens.
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3
Submit application per annual NOFO
When the FY2027 NOFO is released (expected spring 2026), submit a project narrative, budget (with 10% match), key personnel information, and past performance documentation through Grants.gov by the stated deadline.
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 111, 112, 541690, 5416
FAS values projects with clear market data gaps and a credible ability to influence policy or trade practices in the target country. For-profit consulting firms with in-country relationships win more often than pure research proposals.
Deadline & timing
EMP application deadline for FY2026 projects was June 6, 2025 — now closed. USDA FAS typically announces the next year's EMP solicitation in spring. Monitor fas.usda.gov/programs/emerging-markets-program-emp for FY2027 announcement expected in spring 2026.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.