AMS 230-08

Sam Jones (202)720-8998

Samuel.Jones@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202)720-8998

Billy.Cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture invites state departments of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations and other appropriate state agencies to submit proposals for matching grant funds under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.

Program funds can be requested for a wide range of research projects that help to market, transport and distribute U.S. food and agricultural products domestically and internationally. Federal funds awarded to any project must be matched by non-Federal funds or in-kind resources. USDA is particularly interested in proposals that involve collaboration among the states, academia, producers and other stakeholders as well as proposals that have state, regional or national significance.

USDA anticipates that about $1.3 million will be available for Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program grants in fiscal year (FY) 2009, with funds allocated on the basis of one round of competition. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service administers the program.

States interested in applying for Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program funds can submit proposals to the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program Staff Officer, USDA, AMS, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 2646-South, Washington, DC 20250, or call 202-720-8043. Program guidelines, application forms and other related information are posted on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/FSMIP. Applicants have the option of submitting their applications through the Federal grants Web site at www.grants.gov. The deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 11, 2009.

The notice inviting applications for Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program funds for FY 2009 will be published in the Federal Register on December 9, 2008.