Coordinating Agricultural Development Innovation (CADI) Georgia: U.S. Poultry Meat Marketing Promotion

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) is offering a new funding opportunity through the Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Georgia: U.S. Poultry Meat Marketing Promotion program. This opportunity is part of the Technical Agricultural Assistance Program and is intended to support the development of training programs aimed at increasing the knowledge of Georgian importers and processors regarding the benefits of U.S. poultry products. The ultimate goal is to expand U.S. poultry exports to Georgia and, by extension, to the wider South Caucasus and Central Asian region. The grant supports the design and delivery of a training program within the United States for eight Georgian private-sector participants who will be recruited directly by USDA/FAS. The program is expected to last one to two consecutive weeks and must be completed before June 30, 2026. Training should emphasize U.S. poultry meat, primarily chicken and turkey, and cover topics such as production, processing, marketing, distribution, food safety standards, and supply chain management. Participants should also be exposed to business-to-business meetings and trade shows coordinated with USDA/FAS and the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. Total available federal funding for this opportunity is $112,500, with one award anticipated. USDA/FAS reserves the right to make additional awards if extra funding becomes available, but no later than six months after the original selection decisions. This program will operate under a cost-reimbursable agreement, which caps indirect costs at 10 percent of direct costs. Funds cannot be used for lobbying, lawsuits against the federal government, or matching contributions for other federal programs. Compensation for personnel is also capped in alignment with the Executive Schedule III level. Eligibility is limited to state cooperative institutions and U.S. colleges and universities as defined under 7 U.S.C. § 3103. All applicants must maintain an active registration in SAM.gov at the time of application. Only one application per institution will be accepted, and applications must comply fully with format and submission requirements. Although cost sharing is not required, it is encouraged. Applications must include standard forms (SF-424, SF-424A), a detailed budget and budget narrative, a project narrative, institutional capability statements, and staff qualifications. Proposals must also account for logistical arrangements, cultural context, participant support, and contingency planning. Applications are due by November 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Questions may be submitted until November 10, 2025. All applications must be submitted electronically through the ezFedGrants system, which requires a login.gov account and SAM registration. Late submissions will not be accepted. USDA/FAS strongly encourages applicants to register early and begin the submission process well in advance of the deadline. Applications will be evaluated on five primary factors: technical expertise (30 points), relevant experience (10 points), quality and comprehensiveness of the training plan (40 points), budget soundness (15 points), and overall quality of the application (5 points). A review panel will provide recommendations to a selecting official, who may make final decisions based on program priorities. Award notifications will be sent via email, but no work may begin until the award document is signed. Following the award, recipients will be required to submit financial and performance reports, as well as documentation on the participants’ learning outcomes and action plans. USDA/FAS will provide support with participant recruitment, J-1 visa processing, and insurance, while the host institution must arrange domestic transportation, lodging, and per diem. The recipient must also provide pre- and post-training evaluations, cultural exchange activities, and training documentation. Contact for this opportunity is Benjamin Kairn at benjamin.kairn@usda.gov or 202-720-0430 during normal business hours.