AMS No. 263-04

Joan Shaffer (202) 720-7476

joan.shaffer@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2004 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is inviting state departments of agriculture and other appropriate state agencies to submit proposals for matching grant funds under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).

For fiscal year (FY) 2005, USDA anticipates that approximately $1.3 million will be available for FSMIP grants. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service administers this program.

FSMIP funds may be requested for a wide range of marketing research or projects aimed at exploring new market opportunities for agricultural products or improving the efficiency and performance of food marketing systems. Federal funds awarded to any project must be equally matched by non-Federal funds or in-kind resources.

AMS is particularly interested in proposals that reflect a collaborative approach among the States, academia, and the farm sector. States are also urged to consider developing proposals that have regional or national significance, and that address challenges and opportunities in following areas: market analysis; transportation and distribution; competitiveness and new markets; and food quality and variety.

FSMIP funds will be allocated on the basis of one round of competition. The deadline for submitting FY 2005 FSMIP applications is February 11, 2005.

States interested in applying for the funds may submit proposals to FSMIP Staff, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4009-South, Washington, D.C. 20250, or call 202-720-2704. Program guidelines, application forms, and other related information are posted on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/fsmip.htm.

Applicants have the option of submitting their applications through the Federal grants web site: http://www.grants.gov. The notice inviting applications for FSMIP funds for FY 2005 will appear in the December 22, 2004, Federal Register.