2026 Quality Samples Program | USDA FAS QSP 2026

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS QSP 2026

The 2026 Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) focused on building and expanding export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. The basic idea is straightforward: the program helps U.S. organizations get physical commodity samples into the hands of potential foreign buyers so those importers can evaluate the products firsthand. By supporting sampling efforts, QSP is meant to increase familiarity with, and demand for, U.S. agricultural products in overseas markets by highlighting quality and suitability for use.

The program is authorized under Section 5(f) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(f)). Awards are expected to be made as grant agreements, and the structure is designed so recipients run their projects largely on their own, with limited day-to-day programmatic involvement from USDA/FAS. Even so, FAS keeps an oversight role, and recipients are expected to keep the agency informed about project progress and performance.

Funding under QSP is tightly limited to a narrow set of reimbursable costs. Recipients may request reimbursement only for (1) the purchase price of the commodity samples and (2) transportation of those samples within the United States to the port of export and then onward to the first foreign port or point of entry. Everything else is outside the scope of reimbursement. In particular, the program will not cover indirect costs, and it will not pay for movement of the samples beyond the first foreign port or point of entry to a final destination in-country. It also will not reimburse costs that often come along with shipping and exporting, including inspection or documentation fees, certificates of any kind, tariffs, demurrage, or other incidental charges tied to purchasing or transporting samples.

There are also important shipping rules that affect how projects must be carried out. Exports funded through QSP are subject to cargo preference requirements under 46 USC 55305. To meet those requirements, at least 50 percent of the cargo shipped (for which the recipient is seeking reimbursement) must move on U.S.-flag vessels. The program also does not allow air cargo shipments of commodity samples, meaning participants must plan for ocean or other allowable non-air shipment methods that still comply with program rules and timing.

Operationally, QSP recipients are responsible for the full execution of the sampling effort. That includes procuring the commodity samples (or arranging procurement), exporting the samples, and providing on-site technical assistance needed to help importers use the samples successfully. While that technical assistance is a required element of participation, its costs are explicitly not reimbursable under the program, so applicants have to budget for it using non-QSP resources.

Financially, QSP operates strictly on a reimbursement basis. Cash advances are not allowed, and FAS will not reimburse costs it deems unreasonable or costs incurred before an application is approved. This means applicants need enough internal cash flow to pay vendors and shippers upfront and then request reimbursement later, and they must carefully time purchases and shipments so expenses occur only after approval.

From the opportunity listing details, the funding opportunity title is "2026 Quality Samples Program" with opportunity number "USDA FAS QSP 2026." It is categorized as discretionary funding, uses a grant funding instrument, and falls under the agriculture activity category (CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.605). The administering agency is USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. The application closing date is listed as September 19, 2025. The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $75,000, and FAS anticipates making about 20 awards. Eligible applicants are listed broadly as "Others," with the specific eligibility rules referenced as being in Section 2 of the full funding opportunity announcement.

• The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2026 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 2025-07-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-19. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA FAS QSP 2026

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