2026 Quality Samples Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), has announced the 2026 Quality Samples Program (QSP) funding opportunity to support U.S. private or government entities in providing agricultural commodity samples to potential foreign importers. The QSP’s primary objective is to encourage the development and expansion of export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities by helping organizations introduce the quality and benefits of U.S. products to overseas buyers. This initiative is intended to promote a better understanding and appreciation for the high quality of U.S. agricultural commodities among foreign buyers and to increase export opportunities for U.S. producers. The program offers up to $2.5 million in total funding for FY 2026 and anticipates making approximately 20 awards, with individual project funding limits of $75,000 for projects involving further processing or substantial transformation of the commodity sample and $15,000 for projects focused solely on technical demonstration seminars. Eligible applicants include any United States private or government entity, with the exception of FAS Posts, that has a demonstrated role and interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities. Eligible entities comprise Federal, State, and local government agencies, non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state regional trade groups, and for-profit entities. All applicants are required to have an active registration in the U.S. Government System for Award Management (SAM.gov) before the application deadline. Commodities eligible for the program must be produced entirely in the U.S., excluding tobacco, and applications may target any foreign market not restricted by U.S. law or sanctions. The program requires that projects benefit the entire U.S. commodity industry, develop new markets or uses for U.S. products, and ensure the commodity samples provided are in sufficient supply and quantity for demonstration purposes but not for commercial sale. Samples must not be provided for retail promotion or directly to consumers, though end products resulting from technical seminars may be demonstrated to end-use consumers. The QSP funds may only be used for the sample purchase price and the cost of transporting samples to the first foreign port or point of entry. Other costs, such as technical assistance, documentation, or transportation beyond the first foreign entry point, are not reimbursable. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the reimbursed cargo must be shipped on U.S. flag vessels, and air cargo shipments are not permitted. The program operates on a reimbursement basis only, with no cash advances. For most applicants, a cost share or matching requirement equal to at least 10 percent of the requested funds must be met, either in cash or in-kind contributions; federal government entities are exempt from this requirement. Applications must be submitted electronically through the USDA’s Unified Export Strategy (UES) system and should include detailed organizational information, market analysis, project description, budget, performance measures, and information regarding cost sharing and funding sources. The application must also address the technical assistance component, with the organization responsible for providing or arranging such support for foreign importers. The initial application deadline is 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 19, 2025. Additional tranches for application review and award consideration are set for December 31, 2025; March 31, 2026; and June 30, 2026, with the final deadline being June 30, 2026. Questions regarding the program may be directed to Curt Alt at curt.alt@usda.gov or (202) 690–4784. The review process involves multiple phases, including eligibility review, agency evaluation, ranking, and final decision-making by FAS leadership. Applications are scored based on criteria such as trade data provided, benefit to the industry, sample appropriateness, organizational capability, market competitiveness, potential for expanding sales, project relevance, importer contribution, requested reimbursement, and technical assistance plans. Notification of awards is sent via email, and successful applicants are required to submit final performance and financial reports within 90 days of project completion. Award recipients are expected to comply with all programmatic and national policy requirements as outlined in the program’s general terms and conditions. Extensions to complete projects are allowed, with a one-year no-cost extension available upon justified request. Organizations must maintain active SAM.gov registration throughout the award period and ensure compliance with all disclosure and conflict-of-interest requirements.