Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 24 0001
The 2024 Scientific Exchange Program (SEP) - Women in Sustainable Food Systems is a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) discretionary grant opportunity (CFDA 10.620) offered through a cooperative agreement. The program is designed to connect agricultural research and leadership development with real-world outcomes like improved food security, stronger trade capacity, and better-informed trade policy. At its core, SEP supports the transfer of U.S. agricultural science, research methods, and technology to partnering emerging market economies by pairing international fellows with U.S. academic host institutions and U.S.-based scientists.
A central feature of the program is a cohort model in which selected Fellows spend up to 12 weeks at a U.S. academic institution. During that placement, Fellows work directly alongside U.S. researchers in relevant technical fields, gaining hands-on exposure to research approaches, tools, and innovations that can be adapted and applied back home. The goal is not just training for its own sake, but practical capacity-building that can improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food systems, including the systems and processes that support production, distribution, safety, and resilience.
For fiscal year 2024, USDA/FAS is specifically seeking proposals that focus on women in sustainable food systems. The solicitation highlights two priority outcomes. First, projects should actively promote mentorship and leadership for women researchers and scientists working across food systems, with an emphasis on strengthening their professional networks, leadership opportunities, and ability to influence research agendas and institutional decision-making. Second, proposals should strengthen the scientific and evidence base related to the role and needs of women in food systems, including how those roles and needs intersect with climate change. In practice, this could include research collaboration, data and analysis, or structured learning experiences that help quantify barriers, identify effective interventions, and build a clearer picture of how women contribute to and are impacted by shifting environmental and economic conditions.
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $300,000, and USDA/FAS anticipates making up to 6 awards under this opportunity. The original application closing date was March 25, 2024, and the opportunity was posted on February 8, 2024. Eligibility is not fully detailed in the provided text beyond being listed as "Others," and applicants are directed to consult Section C of the official funding opportunity announcement for the specific eligibility rules and requirements.
Overall, this opportunity funds programs that use short-term, intensive U.S.-based research and leadership experiences to build lasting capacity in partner countries, while putting women scientists and evidence-based understanding of women in food systems, especially under climate pressures, at the center of the project design.Apply for USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 24 0001
- The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2024 Scientific Exchange Program – Women in Sustainable Food Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.620.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 2024 Scientific Exchange Program (SEP) - Women in Sustainable Food Systems?
The 2024 Scientific Exchange Program (SEP) - Women in Sustainable Food Systems is a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) discretionary grant opportunity (CFDA 10.620) offered through a cooperative agreement. It supports short-term, intensive U.S.-based scientific exchange and leadership development designed to produce practical, real-world outcomes in food and agriculture.
Which USDA office is offering this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS).
What type of funding instrument is used?
The opportunity is offered through a cooperative agreement.
What is the purpose of SEP?
SEP is designed to connect agricultural research and leadership development with outcomes such as improved food security, stronger trade capacity, and better-informed trade policy. A core purpose is to support the transfer of U.S. agricultural science, research methods, and technology to partnering emerging market economies.
How does the program work in practice?
SEP uses a cohort model where selected international Fellows are paired with U.S. academic host institutions and U.S.-based scientists. Fellows spend up to 12 weeks at a U.S. academic institution, working directly alongside U.S. researchers in relevant technical fields and gaining hands-on exposure to research approaches, tools, and innovations.
How long are Fellows in the United States?
Selected Fellows spend up to 12 weeks at a U.S. academic institution as part of the cohort experience.
Who are the Fellows and hosts in this program?
The program pairs international Fellows with U.S. academic host institutions and U.S.-based scientists. The Fellows participate in hands-on work with U.S. researchers during their placement.
What kinds of outcomes is SEP intended to produce?
The program emphasizes practical capacity-building rather than training alone. Intended outcomes include improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food systems, including production, distribution, safety, and resilience, and supporting broader goals like food security, trade capacity, and trade policy improvements.
What is the FY 2024 focus area for proposals?
For fiscal year 2024, USDA/FAS is seeking proposals that focus on women in sustainable food systems.
What are the priority outcomes for this solicitation?
The solicitation highlights two priority outcomes: (1) actively promoting mentorship and leadership for women researchers and scientists working across food systems, and (2) strengthening the scientific and evidence base related to the role and needs of women in food systems, including how those roles and needs intersect with climate change.
What does "promoting mentorship and leadership" mean in this program context?
Projects are expected to strengthen professional networks, expand leadership opportunities, and increase the ability of women researchers and scientists to influence research agendas and institutional decision-making within food systems.
What does strengthening the evidence base involve?
Proposals should strengthen the scientific and evidence base on the role and needs of women in food systems, including climate change intersections. The solicitation indicates this may include research collaboration, data and analysis, or structured learning experiences to quantify barriers, identify effective interventions, and clarify how women contribute to and are impacted by environmental and economic changes.
How does climate change factor into the program priorities?
One of the two priority outcomes explicitly calls for strengthening evidence related to women in food systems, including how their roles and needs intersect with climate change.
What is meant by "sustainable food systems" in this opportunity?
The provided description frames food systems broadly, including systems and processes that support production, distribution, safety, and resilience. The FY 2024 emphasis is on women within these sustainable food system contexts.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $300,000.
How many awards does USDA/FAS expect to make?
USDA/FAS anticipates making up to 6 awards under this opportunity.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on February 8, 2024.
What was the application closing date?
The original application closing date was March 25, 2024.
What is the program’s relationship to emerging market economies?
SEP supports the transfer of U.S. agricultural science, research methods, and technology to partnering emerging market economies by pairing international Fellows with U.S. academic host institutions and U.S.-based scientists.
Is eligibility clearly defined in the information provided here?
No. The provided text notes eligibility as "Others" but does not fully detail eligibility requirements. Applicants are directed to consult Section C of the official funding opportunity announcement for specific eligibility rules and requirements.
Where should applicants look for the official eligibility rules?
Applicants are directed to Section C of the official funding opportunity announcement for the specific eligibility rules and requirements.
What is CFDA 10.620?
CFDA 10.620 is the identifier associated with this USDA/FAS discretionary grant opportunity as provided in the opportunity description.
What makes this program different from general training programs?
The program emphasizes practical, hands-on capacity-building with real-world application. Fellows work directly with U.S. researchers and are expected to gain research exposure and leadership development that can be adapted and applied back in their home contexts to strengthen agricultural productivity and food systems.
What kinds of project activities are suggested by the solicitation?
The solicitation suggests activities such as research collaboration, data and analysis efforts, and structured learning experiences that help quantify barriers, identify effective interventions, and build clearer understanding of women’s roles and needs in food systems, including under climate pressures.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Ideas Lab: Use-Inspired Acceleration of Protein Design
Previous opportunity: Global Competitive Analysis
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 24 0001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 24 0001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program - Pre-Applications Apply for USDA NIFA SCRI 010556 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SCRI 010556 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA FINI 010594 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FINI 010594 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Special Research Grants for Aquaculture Research Program Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 010575 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SRGP 010575 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Management of Undesirable Plants on USACE Lands, The Dalles Project & John Day Project, Klickitat County, Washington Apply for W9127N2420003 Funding Number: W9127N2420003 Agency: USACE Portland District Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $147,000 |
| AL NRCS Outreach and Education, FY2024 Apply for USDA NRCS AL CTA 24 NOFO0001352 Funding Number: USDA NRCS AL CTA 24 NOFO0001352 Agency: Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| 2024 Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program Apply for USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 24 0002 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 24 0002 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Local Food Promotion Program Fiscal Year 2024 Apply for USDA AMS TM LFPP G 24 0011 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM LFPP G 24 0011 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Farmers Market Promotion Program Fiscal Year 2024 Apply for USDA AMS TM FMPP G 24 0010 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM FMPP G 24 0010 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Regional Food System Partnerships Apply for USDA AMS TM RFSP G 24 0027 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM RFSP G 24 0027 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY2024 McGovern-Dole International Food For Education and Child Nutrition Program Apply for USDA FAS 10608 0700 24 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10608 0700 24 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| FY2024 Cochran Fellowship Program Apply for USDA FAS 10962 0700 10 24 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10962 0700 10 24 0001 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 – New York Apply for USDA NRCS NY CIG 24 NOFO0001390 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NY CIG 24 NOFO0001390 Agency: Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FSIS FERN Cooperative Agreement Program Apply for FSIS 03142024 Funding Number: FSIS 03142024 Agency: Food Safety Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $246,875 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 010693 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 010693 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Food For Progress Merit Based Supplemental Commodity Apply for USDA FAS 10606 0700 MERIT2024 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10606 0700 MERIT2024 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Acer Access and Development Program Apply for USDA AMS TM ACER G 24 0016 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM ACER G 24 0016 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) Apply for USDA AMS TM FSMIP G 24 0014 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM FSMIP G 24 0014 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Micro-Grants for Food Security Program Apply for USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 24 0028 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 24 0028 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| CIG- FY 2024 - Missouri Apply for USDA NRCS MO CIG 24 NOFO0001370 Funding Number: USDA NRCS MO CIG 24 NOFO0001370 Agency: Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Management of Undesirable Plants on USACE Lands, John Day – Willow Creek Project, Benton County, WA Apply for W9127N2420004 Funding Number: W9127N2420004 Agency: USACE Portland District Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA FAS 10620 0762 10 24 0001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.