USDA Accepting Applications for 2013 Export Assistance Program

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2013 — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today’s announcement is one part of the Department’s efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced today that it continues to accept fiscal year 2013 applications for the Emerging Markets Program (EMP), the Quality Samples Program (QSP) and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program. New proposals will be accepted until FY13 funds are exhausted.

EMP funding supports technical assistance for the promotion of U.S. farm products in emerging markets worldwide.　The QSP helps U.S. agricultural trade organizations provide samples of their agricultural products to potential importers by funding purchases of product and shipping.

TASC helps open, retain and expand markets by providing resources to address phytosanitary or related technical restrictions that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. Specialty crops include all cultivated plants and their products produced in the United States except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar and tobacco.

FAS will review all proposals received by May 1, 2013. Proposals received after that date will be reviewed if funds remain.

Applicants are encouraged to apply via the Unified Export Strategy online application system available at

Applications can also be emailed to

Applicants must have a Dun Bradstreet (DUNS) number for federal assistance, which can be obtained at fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling 1-866-705-5711.

Additional information about these market development programs is available at

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $700 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

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