2027 Market Access Program

The Market Access Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Foreign Agricultural Service to support the expansion of export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. The program operates as a cost-share initiative in which the agency partners with eligible organizations to carry out marketing and promotional activities abroad. The Foreign Agricultural Service is responsible for improving foreign market access for U.S. producers and works with industry groups and public entities to strengthen global demand for U.S. goods. This program reflects a long-standing federal commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture in international markets. The primary purpose of the program is to assist participants in developing, maintaining, and expanding export markets for U.S. agricultural products. Through cooperative agreements, the program funds activities such as advertising campaigns, trade shows, consumer promotions, market research, and technical assistance aimed at overcoming trade barriers. All U.S. agricultural commodities are eligible with the exception of tobacco. The program is designed to cover a broad range of commodities and geographic markets, ensuring that benefits are distributed across multiple sectors of the agricultural economy. Funding is provided on a competitive basis, and the Foreign Agricultural Service seeks to maximize the reach and diversity of supported projects. Participants are required to share in the cost of approved activities, reflecting a partnership model that leverages both federal and private or state resources. The exact structure of allowable costs and reimbursement mechanisms is governed by program agreements, and funds are typically restricted to activities that directly support export promotion rather than domestic marketing or unrelated operational expenses. Eligibility for the program is limited to nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations, state regional trade groups, U.S. agricultural cooperatives, and state agencies. Applicants must maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management prior to submitting an application. Any applicant with inactive, expired, or otherwise non-compliant registration status will be deemed ineligible, and no waivers or extensions are granted for this requirement. This strict eligibility framework ensures that participants meet federal compliance standards and are capable of managing grant funds responsibly. The application process requires submission through official federal grant systems, with all required registrations completed in advance. While the synopsis does not detail specific application components, applicants should expect to provide organizational information, proposed activities, budgets, and justification aligned with export promotion goals. Applications are reviewed competitively, with consideration given to the potential effectiveness of proposed activities in expanding export markets and the applicant’s capacity to execute the project. The application window opens upon posting and closes on August 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The program is issued on a recurring basis, typically annually, reflecting ongoing federal support for export market development. Award notifications and agreement execution timelines are not specified in the synopsis but generally follow the federal fiscal planning cycle. For additional information or assistance accessing the full announcement, applicants may contact the program representative by phone or email as provided in the notice.