Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10606 0700 25
The Food for Progress Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (FY 2025) is a discretionary funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS), offered through cooperative agreements under CFDA 10.606. The program is built around a straightforward model: USDA donates U.S. agricultural commodities to selected developing countries or emerging democracies that are pursuing market-oriented reforms in agriculture. Those commodities are typically sold in the recipient country, and the proceeds from local sales are then reinvested into agricultural development activities. In other words, the commodity donation functions as the source of capital for projects meant to strengthen agricultural systems and expand market-based growth.
The program is authorized under the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1736o(d)) and is designed to promote free enterprise in the agricultural sector. The NOFO lays out six statutory objectives that guide what funded activities should aim to accomplish. These include improving farmers access to private, competitive markets; encouraging market pricing for eligible commodities so farmers have real incentives to produce consistently for domestic needs; supporting market-determined foreign exchange rates; improving timely access to key production inputs like seed, fertilizer, and pesticides; expanding access to appropriate agricultural technologies that match the country context and level of development; and building or upgrading facilities and distribution systems needed to handle perishable goods. Taken together, USDA frames these as two big-picture strategic objectives: (1) increasing agricultural productivity, and (2) expanding trade in agricultural products, whether within the country, across the region, or internationally.
The FY 2025 competition identifies priority country tracks and requires applicants to reference the correct country-specific identification number in their application. The listed priority country identifiers are: USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(542) for Kenya, USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(110) for Colombia, USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(320) for Vietnam, and USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(520) for Ethiopia. The NOFO also allows for non-priority country applications, which must use USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(000). This setup signals that USDA expects proposals aligned to the needs and reform trajectories of the named priority countries, while still leaving room for other eligible countries if the case is strong.
A wide range of applicant types can compete for funding, reflecting the program focus on implementation capacity and partnerships rather than limiting eligibility to governments only. Eligible applicants include the government of an emerging agricultural country, intergovernmental organizations, private voluntary organizations, nonprofit agricultural organizations or cooperatives, nongovernmental organizations, colleges and universities, and other private entities (with definitions referenced in 7 CFR 1499.2). This breadth makes it possible for international NGOs, university-led consortia, cooperatives, and private sector-linked implementers to lead projects, often in coordination with local ministries, producer organizations, and market actors.
From a funding standpoint, the opportunity is posted as USDA FAS 10606 0700 25, with an application deadline of July 31, 2025. USDA indicates an award ceiling of up to $35,000,000 per award and anticipates making around 10 awards. Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect substantial federal involvement in the project lifecycle compared to a standard grant, typically meaning closer coordination with USDA on planning, oversight, and performance expectations.
In practical terms, competitive proposals under this NOFO are likely to be those that connect the commodity-supported financing mechanism to clear, measurable improvements in productivity and market expansion. That can include interventions that strengthen input supply chains, improve extension and technology adoption, expand post-harvest handling and cold chain capacity, improve quality standards and market linkages, or reduce barriers that keep farmers from participating in competitive private markets. Proposals that also show how activities reinforce broader market reforms (pricing, exchange rate environment, competitiveness, and private sector incentives) will be aligned with the statutory intent of Food for Progress.Apply for USDA FAS 10606 0700 25
- The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food for Progress Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Fiscal Year 2025" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.606.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-07-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-31. (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 $35,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Food for Progress Program (FY 2025) - FAQs
What is the Food for Progress Program (FY 2025) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?
The Food for Progress Program (FY 2025) NOFO is a discretionary funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS). Awards are made through cooperative agreements under CFDA 10.606 to support agricultural development activities in selected developing countries or emerging democracies pursuing market-oriented agricultural reforms.
How does the Food for Progress funding model work?
The program uses a commodity-based financing model. USDA donates U.S. agricultural commodities to an approved recipient country. Those commodities are typically sold in the local market, and the proceeds from those local sales are then reinvested into agricultural development activities. In this structure, the donated commodity functions as the source of capital for the project.
What is the main purpose of the Food for Progress Program?
The program is designed to promote free enterprise in the agricultural sector by strengthening agricultural systems and supporting market-based growth. USDA frames the program around two strategic objectives: (1) increasing agricultural productivity, and (2) expanding trade in agricultural products within the country, regionally, or internationally.
What law authorizes the Food for Progress Program?
The program is authorized under the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1736o(d)).
What are the statutory objectives that proposed activities should address?
The NOFO describes six statutory objectives that should guide funded activities:
- Improve farmers access to private, competitive markets.
- Encourage market pricing for eligible commodities to provide incentives for consistent production for domestic needs.
- Support market-determined foreign exchange rates.
- Improve timely access to key production inputs (such as seed, fertilizer, and pesticides).
- Expand access to appropriate agricultural technologies that fit the country context and level of development.
- Build or upgrade facilities and distribution systems needed to handle perishable goods.
What are the FY 2025 priority countries for this competition?
The FY 2025 competition identifies the following priority country tracks: Kenya, Colombia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia.
What country-specific identification number should be used for Kenya?
Applications for Kenya must reference: USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(542).
What country-specific identification number should be used for Colombia?
Applications for Colombia must reference: USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(110).
What country-specific identification number should be used for Vietnam?
Applications for Vietnam must reference: USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(320).
What country-specific identification number should be used for Ethiopia?
Applications for Ethiopia must reference: USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(520).
Are non-priority countries allowed under this NOFO?
Yes. The NOFO allows applications for non-priority countries. These applications must use the non-priority identifier: USDA-FAS-10.606-0700-25(000).
Who is eligible to apply?
A wide range of entities may apply, with eligibility tied to implementation capacity and partnerships. Eligible applicants include:
- The government of an emerging agricultural country
- Intergovernmental organizations
- Private voluntary organizations
- Nonprofit agricultural organizations or cooperatives
- Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
- Colleges and universities
- Other private entities (with definitions referenced in 7 CFR 1499.2)
What type of award instrument is used?
This opportunity is offered through a cooperative agreement. That means substantial federal involvement is expected during the project lifecycle, with closer coordination with USDA on planning, oversight, and performance expectations than a standard grant.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?
The opportunity is posted as USDA FAS 10606 0700 25, and it is under CFDA 10.606.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is July 31, 2025.
What is the maximum award size?
USDA indicates an award ceiling of up to $35,000,000 per award.
How many awards does USDA anticipate making?
USDA anticipates making around 10 awards.
What kinds of activities are likely to be competitive under this NOFO?
Competitive proposals are likely to link the commodity-supported financing mechanism to clear, measurable improvements in agricultural productivity and market expansion. Examples of interventions referenced in the opportunity description include strengthening input supply chains, improving extension and technology adoption, expanding post-harvest handling and cold chain capacity, improving quality standards and market linkages, and reducing barriers that prevent farmers from participating in competitive private markets.
How should proposals connect to market-oriented reforms?
Proposals are expected to align with the statutory intent to promote free enterprise. Applications that show how activities reinforce broader market reforms (such as pricing incentives, the exchange rate environment, competitiveness, and private sector incentives) will be aligned with the program intent described in the NOFO summary.
Does the program focus only on productivity, or also on trade?
It addresses both. USDA frames the program as supporting (1) increased agricultural productivity and (2) expanded trade in agricultural products, whether within-country, across a region, or internationally.
Are projects expected to focus on perishable goods systems?
The NOFO includes a statutory objective related to building or upgrading facilities and distribution systems needed to handle perishable goods. Projects that address those needs can fit within the stated objectives when aligned to the country context and overall strategy.
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