Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Uzbekistan Exchanges: Promotion of U.S. Distilled Spirits

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) has announced a new funding opportunity under its Technical Agricultural Assistance Program. This initiative is part of the Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Uzbekistan Exchanges and focuses specifically on the Promotion of U.S. Distilled Spirits. The program is designed to foster international trade and educational exchange, aiming to enhance the presence of U.S. distilled spirits in Uzbekistan’s growing market. USDA/FAS seeks proposals from U.S.-based institutions, specifically State cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities, to host a comprehensive training program tailored for Uzbek private-sector professionals. The program's objective is to educate mid- to senior-level Uzbek professionals involved in the importation, marketing, and sale of distilled spirits. The training aims to improve the participants’ knowledge of U.S. distilled spirits—especially bourbon and whiskey—and their regulatory, production, and marketing aspects. Additionally, it aims to strengthen ties between U.S. producers and Uzbek buyers, promoting mutually beneficial trade relations. This educational exchange will last 1–2 consecutive weeks and will take place within the United States, with the host institution responsible for determining appropriate locations for site visits and training activities. The program will include exposure to U.S. industry standards, site visits to manufacturers and markets, and meetings with trade associations such as the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. The scope of allowable use for the $115,000 in federal funding is clearly defined. While funds can cover training logistics such as domestic travel, accommodations, and educational materials, certain expenses are restricted. International flights for Uzbek participants, lobbying efforts, and federal legal challenges are not eligible expenses. Indirect costs are capped at 10% of total direct costs, as mandated by statute. No cost share or match is required for this opportunity, further broadening access to qualified institutions. Eligibility is limited to State cooperative institutions and other colleges and universities in the U.S., as defined by 7 U.S.C. § 3103. All applicants must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of application. Applications that do not comply with eligibility or formatting requirements will be deemed ineligible. Only one application per institution is allowed. Successful proposals must include specific federal forms, a detailed narrative plan, a budget justification, and adherence to the guidelines outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applications must be submitted through the ezFedGrants portal no later than May 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Interested applicants are advised to complete submissions at least one to two days prior to the deadline to mitigate any technical issues. Questions regarding the opportunity must be submitted by May 6, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical expertise, prior experience with international training, training plan quality, cost-effectiveness of the budget, and overall completeness. USDA/FAS reserves the right to make selections out of rank order for strategic reasons. Notifications of award will be sent via email. Upon selection, recipients are required to implement pre- and post-training assessments, develop individualized action plans with each participant, and provide final financial and performance reports within 120 days after the performance period ends. USDA/FAS will handle recruitment and visa arrangements for Uzbek participants, while the recipient institution will be responsible for all domestic logistics. The program has a single round of applications for 2026 with no stated recurrence, though the agency reserves the right to make additional awards within six months if further funding becomes available.

Ensure detailed alignment to objectives and flexibility in execution; Avoid expired forms; Provide comprehensive evaluation strategy