Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS QSP 2027
The 2027 Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). Its purpose is to help grow and diversify overseas demand for U.S. agricultural commodities by supporting the provision of U.S. commodity samples to prospective foreign buyers. The basic idea is practical: getting high-quality U.S. products into the hands of potential importers can increase familiarity, confidence, and interest, which can translate into new export relationships and expanded market presence.
The program is open to a wide range of U.S.-based applicants, as long as they can show a clear role and genuine interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities. Eligible applicants include both government and private entities, with one explicit exclusion: FAS Posts are not eligible to apply. Government applicants may be federal, state, or local agencies. Private-sector applicants can include non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state or regional trade groups, and even for-profit entities. In other words, the program is structured to accommodate many types of organizations involved in export development, from industry groups running overseas promotions to universities or cooperatives with export-focused initiatives.
A strict eligibility requirement is that every applicant must have an active registration in the U.S. Government System for Award Management (SAM.gov) by the application submission deadline listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The requirement is not flexible: applications tied to SAM registrations that are inactive, expired, pending, or excluded are considered ineligible, and the agency states that exceptions, waivers, or extensions will not be granted. Applicants are expected to confirm their SAM status well in advance of the deadline, because SAM issues can take time to resolve and will not be accommodated after the fact.
Key listing details for this opportunity include the title "2027 Quality Samples Program" and the funding opportunity number "USDA FAS QSP 2027." The awarding agency is USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service, and the assistance listing (CFDA) number is 10.605, under the Agriculture activity category. The opportunity was created on 2026-06-10, and the original closing date is 2026-08-14. The announcement indicates an expectation of about 20 awards; an award ceiling is not specified in the provided source data.Apply for USDA FAS QSP 2027
- The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2027 Quality Samples Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.605.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-14. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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2027 Quality Samples Program (QSP) FAQs
What is the 2027 Quality Samples Program (QSP)?
The 2027 Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). It supports efforts to grow and diversify overseas demand for U.S. agricultural commodities.
What is the main purpose of the QSP grant?
The program is designed to support the provision of U.S. commodity samples to prospective foreign buyers. The practical goal is to place high-quality U.S. products directly into the hands of potential importers so they can evaluate the product, build familiarity and confidence, and potentially move toward new export relationships.
How does QSP help increase U.S. agricultural exports?
By funding activities that provide U.S. commodity samples to foreign prospects, QSP helps reduce uncertainty for buyers, increases awareness of U.S. products, and can stimulate interest that leads to new or expanded export opportunities and market presence.
Who is offering and administering this funding opportunity?
The awarding agency is USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS).
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The 2027 QSP is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the funding opportunity title and number?
The title is "2027 Quality Samples Program" and the funding opportunity number is "USDA FAS QSP 2027."
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number provided is 10.605.
What activity category is this opportunity listed under?
This opportunity is listed under the Agriculture activity category.
Who is eligible to apply for the 2027 QSP?
The program is open to a wide range of U.S.-based applicants as long as they can demonstrate a clear role and genuine interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities. Eligible applicants can include both government and private entities.
Which government entities can apply?
Government applicants may include federal, state, or local agencies.
Which private-sector entities can apply?
Private-sector applicants may include non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural cooperatives, state or regional trade groups, and for-profit entities, as long as they meet the program's general expectation of having a real role and interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities.
Are for-profit companies allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit entities are included among the types of private-sector applicants that may be eligible, provided they are U.S.-based and can show a clear role and genuine interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities.
Are universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Universities are explicitly listed among eligible private-sector applicant types.
Are agricultural cooperatives eligible to apply?
Yes. Agricultural cooperatives are explicitly listed among eligible private-sector applicant types.
Are trade associations eligible to apply?
Yes. Non-profit trade associations are explicitly listed among eligible private-sector applicant types. State or regional trade groups are also included.
Are USDA FAS Posts eligible to apply?
No. FAS Posts are explicitly excluded from eligibility and cannot apply to this opportunity.
Do applicants need to be U.S.-based?
Yes. The opportunity is described as open to U.S.-based applicants, provided they can show a clear role and genuine interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities.
What is the SAM.gov requirement for this grant?
Every applicant must have an active registration in the U.S. Government System for Award Management (SAM.gov) by the application submission deadline stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
What happens if a SAM.gov registration is inactive, expired, pending, or excluded?
Applications tied to SAM registrations that are inactive, expired, pending, or excluded are considered ineligible.
Can USDA FAS grant exceptions or waivers for SAM.gov issues?
No. The agency indicates that exceptions, waivers, or extensions related to SAM status will not be granted.
Should applicants wait until the deadline to confirm SAM.gov status?
No. Applicants are expected to confirm their SAM status well in advance of the deadline, since SAM-related issues can take time to resolve and will not be accommodated after the fact.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-06-10.
What is the closing date for applications?
The original closing date is 2026-08-14.
How many awards does USDA FAS expect to make?
The announcement indicates an expectation of about 20 awards.
Is there an award ceiling listed?
An award ceiling is not specified in the provided source data.
What kinds of activities does QSP support?
Based on the description provided, QSP supports activities focused on providing U.S. commodity samples to prospective foreign buyers as part of export development and overseas market growth efforts.
What should an applicant be able to demonstrate to be a good fit for QSP?
Applicants should be able to show a clear role and genuine interest in exporting U.S. agricultural commodities, since eligibility is tied to having a real export-development connection rather than being a passive or unrelated organization.
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