Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Armenia Exchanges: U.S. Food Safety Regulations and Standards Training Program

The Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Armenia Exchanges: U.S. Food Safety Regulations and Standards Training Program is a funding initiative by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) under the Technical Agricultural Assistance program. This grant opportunity is part of broader efforts to enhance bilateral relationships and trade potential between the United States and Armenia through targeted technical capacity-building. The program seeks to strengthen Armenia’s understanding of U.S. food safety regulations, facilitate regulatory harmonization with international standards, and reduce trade barriers to increase U.S. agricultural exports. The program will support the design and implementation of a training initiative delivered to nine Armenian participants from both the public and private sectors. Expected participants include association or NGO staff, government officials, an academic researcher, and representatives from agribusiness companies. The USDA/FAS is responsible for participant recruitment and visa coordination, while the selected U.S.-based host institution is expected to develop and manage the training agenda, logistics, and educational delivery. The training is anticipated to last 1–2 weeks and will take place at one or more U.S. locations proposed by the host. The program content is expansive, covering topics such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), traceability, risk assessments, regulatory responsibilities across U.S. agencies (e.g., FDA, APHIS, EPA), food labeling standards, hazard analysis protocols, sanitation practices, transportation and storage safety, and global food safety standards. Practical field visits, case studies, and interactive activities are encouraged to enhance participant understanding and showcase U.S. food safety practices in real-world settings. These components are designed to provide a holistic understanding of U.S. systems and support international regulatory alignment. Applicants must be U.S.-based state cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities, as defined under 7 U.S.C. § 3103. They must have active SAM.gov registrations by the submission deadline of May 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time. Late applications will not be accepted. A complete submission includes required federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A), a budget narrative, and a detailed program narrative outlining implementation strategy, institutional capacity, participant engagement plans, and evaluation methods. Evaluation of applications will be based on several weighted criteria, including technical expertise (30 points), relevant experience in international training (10 points), training plan (40 points), budget justification (15 points), and overall application quality (5 points). Applications will be reviewed by a panel and may be subject to further negotiation or clarification before award issuance. All awards are contingent on fund availability and agency priorities. The total funding available is $110,000 with an anticipated single award. No cost-sharing is required, though it is encouraged. Indirect costs are capped at 10% as specified under statute. The successful applicant will be expected to ensure accommodations, ground transportation, domestic flights, and other logistics for participants, as well as facilitate action planning, pre/post evaluations, and program documentation. The USDA/FAS and an Armenian implementing partner will accompany participants throughout the training. Award notifications will be issued via email, and final performance and financial reports are due within 120 days post-program.

Emphasize detailed training design and proven international training experience to score highly in evaluation.