Food for Progress Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Fiscal Year 2025 | USDA FAS 10606 0700 25

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.

• 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.

Apply for USDA FAS 10606 0700 25

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