Opportunity Information: Apply for 2021 05
The Quality Samples Program (QSP) Notice of Funding Opportunity is a USDA discretionary grant program meant to help U.S. agricultural interests build and expand export markets by getting product samples into the hands of potential foreign buyers. The core idea is simple: when importers can test and evaluate real U.S. commodity samples, it increases familiarity and confidence in U.S. quality, which can lead to new or larger commercial sales over time. The program is administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation.
Under this opportunity, funded participants take on the hands-on work of making the sampling effort happen. That includes procuring the commodity samples (or arranging for them to be procured), exporting those samples, and providing on-site technical assistance to help the foreign importer use the samples successfully. While technical assistance is required as part of every project, the program does not pay for the cost of providing that assistance; it is a required component that the participant must cover through its own resources.
Financial support under QSP is structured as reimbursement rather than upfront payment. Participants may submit claims to FAS after expenses are incurred, and reimbursement only happens after FAS reviews the claim and determines it is complete. The reimbursable costs are limited to two main categories: (1) the purchase price of the commodity samples, and (2) transportation costs to move those samples within the United States to the port of export and then from the U.S. to the first foreign port or point of entry. Costs to transport the samples beyond that first foreign port or entry point to a final inland destination are explicitly not eligible for reimbursement.
The program also draws clear lines around what it will not pay for. FAS will not reimburse incidental or associated costs tied to purchasing or moving the samples, such as inspection fees, documentation charges, certificates of any kind, tariffs, demurrage, or similar add-on expenses. In other words, QSP is narrowly focused on covering the sample product itself and the initial eligible legs of transportation, while leaving administrative, compliance, and downstream logistics costs to the participant.
In terms of the published opportunity details, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the Agriculture funding activity category, listed under CFDA 10.605. The funding opportunity number is 2021 05. The notice was created on May 12, 2020, with an original closing date of June 26, 2020. The expected number of awards was 20, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) was $250,000. Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility clarification referenced in the full notice text.Apply for 2021 05
- The Department of Agriculture, Quality Samples Program 10.605 in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Quality Samples Program Notice of Funding Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.605.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 12, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 26, 2020. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Quality Samples Program (QSP) Grant - FAQs
What is the Quality Samples Program (QSP)?
The Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a USDA discretionary grant program designed to help U.S. agricultural interests build and expand export markets by getting U.S. commodity samples into the hands of potential foreign buyers so they can test and evaluate the products.
What is the main goal of QSP funding?
The goal is to increase familiarity and confidence in U.S. agricultural commodities by enabling foreign importers to evaluate real U.S. product samples. Over time, this can support new commercial sales or larger sales volumes.
Who administers the QSP grant program?
The program is administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation.
What type of funding instrument is QSP?
QSP is offered as a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant).
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The funding activity category listed for this opportunity is Agriculture.
What is the CFDA number for QSP?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.605.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 2021 05.
How does the program work in practice for funded participants?
Funded participants are responsible for making the sampling effort happen. This includes procuring commodity samples (or arranging for them to be procured), exporting those samples, and providing on-site technical assistance to help the foreign importer use the samples successfully.
Is technical assistance required as part of a QSP project?
Yes. On-site technical assistance is a required component of every project.
Does QSP reimburse the cost of providing technical assistance?
No. While technical assistance is required, the program does not pay for the cost of providing that assistance. The participant must cover it using its own resources.
Is QSP funding paid upfront or reimbursed after spending?
QSP support is provided through reimbursement rather than upfront payment. Participants may submit claims to FAS after expenses are incurred.
When does reimbursement occur?
Reimbursement occurs only after FAS reviews a submitted claim and determines the claim is complete.
What costs are eligible for reimbursement under QSP?
Reimbursable costs are limited to two categories: (1) the purchase price of the commodity samples, and (2) transportation costs to move samples within the United States to the port of export and then from the U.S. to the first foreign port or point of entry.
Are costs to transport samples beyond the first foreign port or point of entry eligible?
No. Transportation costs beyond the first foreign port or point of entry to an inland destination are explicitly not eligible for reimbursement.
What transportation legs are covered by QSP reimbursement?
Transportation reimbursement is limited to moving samples within the U.S. to the port of export and then shipping from the U.S. to the first foreign port or point of entry.
Does QSP cover incidental or add-on costs related to the shipment?
No. FAS will not reimburse incidental or associated costs tied to purchasing or moving the samples.
What are examples of costs that are not reimbursable under QSP?
Examples specifically listed as not reimbursable include inspection fees, documentation charges, certificates of any kind, tariffs, demurrage, and similar add-on expenses.
What does QSP primarily pay for?
QSP is narrowly focused on covering the sample product itself (the purchase price of commodity samples) and the initial eligible legs of transportation (to the U.S. port of export and to the first foreign port or point of entry).
What kinds of expenses are left to the participant to cover?
Based on the stated exclusions, administrative and compliance-type costs, on-site technical assistance costs, incidental charges, and downstream logistics beyond the first foreign port or point of entry are left to the participant.
How many awards were expected under this notice?
The expected number of awards was 20.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) was $250,000.
When was this notice created?
The notice was created on May 12, 2020.
What was the original closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date was June 26, 2020.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility clarification referenced in the full notice text.
Where can applicants find more detail on eligibility?
The opportunity indicates that additional eligibility clarification is provided in the full notice text.
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