Solicitation of Applications for the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces a solicitation of applications for competitive grant funds for fiscal year (FY) 2011, subject to final appropriation action by Congress, which would enable States to explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the U.S. marketing system. Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, and other appropriate State Agencies. Applicants are encouraged to involve industry groups, academia, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in developing proposals and conducting projects. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements have been previously approved by OMB under 0581-0240, Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). Historically, Congress has appropriated funding for this program. This notice is being issued prior to passage of a FY 2011 Appropriations Act, which may or may not provide an appropriation for this program, to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, submit applications, and give AMS time to process applications within the current fiscal year.