Food for Progress Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Fiscal Year 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) is soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Food for Progress (FFPr) Program. This funding opportunity supports agricultural development in emerging democracies and developing countries through the monetization of donated U.S. agricultural commodities. Proceeds from these sales are used to fund projects aimed at improving agricultural productivity and expanding trade in agricultural goods. The FFPr program prioritizes interventions that foster free enterprise in the agricultural sector and align with national strategies and USDA priorities. The initiative operates with substantial involvement from USDA/FAS throughout the award lifecycle, including technical input and monitoring. The total funding available under this opportunity is $208 million, with anticipated individual awards ranging from $5 million to $35 million. USDA/FAS expects to make between six and ten awards, although this may change if additional funding becomes available. The projected period of performance for funded projects ranges from three to five years, beginning around October 1, 2025, and ending between September 30, 2028, and September 30, 2030. Selected projects must demonstrate sustainable development outcomes and detailed plans for coordination with local stakeholders, private sector partners, and other donors. The program requires a robust implementation plan with clearly defined milestones and measures for cost efficiency, fraud prevention, and return on investment. Eligibility is open to a range of organizations including U.S. and foreign nonprofit organizations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental organizations, and private entities. Governments of emerging agricultural countries may also apply. All applicants must be actively registered in SAM.gov at the time of application submission. There is no cost-share or matching requirement, but applications proposing well-supported cost-share contributions may receive up to two bonus points in the evaluation process. Applications must be submitted via the Food Aid Information System (FAIS) by 5:00 PM EDT on July 31, 2025. Applicants must first establish a login.gov identity and register for FAIS access, a process that can take several days. Questions may be submitted through Grants.gov until July 15, 2025. Award notifications are expected by September 15, 2025, and awards will be issued by September 26, 2025. Applications must include multiple detailed components, such as a strategic analysis, plan of operation, monitoring and evaluation plans, commodity management plan, and full budget documentation, including a NICRA or de minimis indirect cost rate explanation. Evaluation criteria include the quality and relevance of the strategic analysis, operational feasibility, organizational capacity, technical soundness, and value for money. USDA/FAS places particular emphasis on cost-effectiveness, fraud prevention, sustainable impact, and alignment with the host country’s agricultural priorities. A 70% minimum rate of return on commodity monetization is required, and the use of external monetization agents and impact assessments is strongly encouraged. Applications must demonstrate how their proposed projects will support USDA’s twin strategic goals of increasing agricultural productivity and expanding trade, while also furthering U.S. foreign policy interests. The point of contact for this funding opportunity is Ingrid Ardjosoediro, Branch Director of the Food for Progress Program. She can be reached via email at ingrid.ardjosoediro@usda.gov or by phone at +1 (202) 531-0216 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT. Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review all requirements, templates, and guidance documents provided in the NOFO and to begin the registration and submission process well in advance of the deadline.

Use USDA templates. Follow formatting strictly. Begin registration early. Ensure page limits and submission deadlines are met.