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.Apply for USDA FAS QSP 2026
- 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.
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FAQs: 2026 Quality Samples Program (QSP)
What is the 2026 Quality Samples Program (QSP)?
The 2026 Quality Samples Program (QSP) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to help build and expand export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. The program supports efforts to get physical samples of U.S. commodities to potential foreign buyers so they can evaluate product quality and suitability firsthand.
What is the main purpose of QSP funding?
The purpose is to increase familiarity with, and demand for, U.S. agricultural products in overseas markets by supporting sampling efforts that highlight quality and suitability for use.
Which agency runs this opportunity?
The administering agency is the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
What is the official funding opportunity title and number?
Title: 2026 Quality Samples Program
Opportunity number: USDA FAS QSP 2026
Is this a discretionary or mandatory funding program?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity.
What type of funding instrument is expected?
Awards are expected to be made as grant agreements (a grant funding instrument).
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number and program category?
Assistance Listing (CFDA): 10.605
Activity category: Agriculture
What is the legal authority for QSP?
The program is authorized under Section 5(f) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(f)).
When is the application closing date?
The application closing date listed is September 19, 2025.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $75,000.
How many awards does FAS expect to make?
FAS anticipates making about 20 awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are listed broadly as "Others." The specific eligibility rules are referenced as being in Section 2 of the full funding opportunity announcement.
What does the program actually pay for?
QSP is tightly limited to reimbursing only two types of costs:
- The purchase price of the commodity samples, and
- 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.
What costs are not reimbursable under QSP?
Anything outside the two reimbursable categories is not covered. The program specifically does not reimburse:
- Indirect costs
- Movement of samples beyond the first foreign port or point of entry (for example, inland delivery to a final destination in-country)
- Inspection or documentation fees
- Certificates of any kind
- Tariffs
- Demurrage
- Other incidental charges tied to purchasing or transporting samples
Does QSP pay for technical assistance provided to importers?
No. Providing on-site technical assistance needed to help importers use the samples successfully is a required part of participation, but the costs of that technical assistance are explicitly not reimbursable under QSP. Applicants must fund those costs using non-QSP resources.
Can QSP funds be used for shipping to the final destination inside the foreign country?
No. QSP will not pay for movement of samples beyond the first foreign port or point of entry.
How does reimbursement work under QSP?
QSP operates strictly on a reimbursement basis. Recipients pay vendors and shippers upfront and then request reimbursement for allowable costs.
Are cash advances allowed?
No. Cash advances are not allowed under QSP.
Can costs incurred before award approval be reimbursed?
No. FAS will not reimburse costs incurred before an application is approved.
Will USDA/FAS reimburse any cost that is technically allowable?
Not necessarily. FAS will not reimburse costs it deems unreasonable, even if they fall within an otherwise allowable category.
What does "limited day-to-day programmatic involvement" by FAS mean for recipients?
The program is structured so recipients run their projects largely on their own rather than having USDA/FAS manage daily project activities. However, FAS maintains an oversight role, and recipients are expected to keep the agency informed about project progress and performance.
Who is responsible for executing the sampling project?
Recipients are responsible for full execution, including procuring (or arranging procurement of) the commodity samples, exporting the samples, and providing on-site technical assistance needed for successful use by importers.
Are there cargo preference requirements for shipments?
Yes. Exports funded through QSP are subject to cargo preference requirements under 46 USC 55305. At least 50 percent of the cargo shipped (for which the recipient is seeking reimbursement) must move on U.S.-flag vessels.
Are air shipments allowed for QSP-funded samples?
No. The program does not allow air cargo shipments of commodity samples. Applicants must plan for ocean or other allowable non-air shipment methods that comply with program rules and timing.
What part of the shipping route is eligible for reimbursement?
Reimbursement is limited to transportation within the United States to the port of export and then onward to the first foreign port or point of entry.
What kinds of common export/shipping charges should applicants plan to cover themselves?
Applicants should plan to cover costs that commonly accompany exporting but are not reimbursable under QSP, including inspection or documentation fees, certificates, tariffs, demurrage, and other incidental charges tied to purchasing or transporting samples.
What cash flow considerations should applicants plan for?
Because QSP is reimbursement-only and does not allow advances, applicants need sufficient internal cash flow to pay allowable sample purchase and shipping costs upfront, then submit reimbursement requests later. They also need to ensure costs are incurred only after application approval.
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