Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Uzbekistan: U.S. Soy Marketing Promotion

The Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Uzbekistan: U.S. Soy Marketing Promotion program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). This initiative is part of the Technical Agricultural Assistance Program, aiming to bolster U.S. soy exports by providing targeted technical training to Uzbekistan’s private sector. Specifically, the program focuses on marketing and utilization of U.S. soy and is structured to enhance competencies in soy processing, food safety, and trade mechanisms, aligning with broader U.S. trade and foreign policy goals. USDA/FAS seeks to award up to $115,000 through a cost-reimbursable agreement to a single eligible U.S.-based academic institution—specifically, a state cooperative institution or other college or university as defined by 7 U.S.C. § 3103. The program will train eight Uzbekistani mid- to senior-level private sector professionals from firms involved in soy import and processing. These participants will be recruited by USDA/FAS and include representatives from the national Fat & Oil Association and several key soy-importing companies. The training program is expected to last 1–2 consecutive weeks and take place in the United States at a location proposed by the host institution. Programmatic focus areas include understanding U.S. food safety regulations and soy-related risk management policies, U.S. regulatory and inspection mechanisms governing soy exports, and the full value chain of the U.S. soy industry—from planting and processing to feed production. Participants will gain insight into quality standards, certifications, and the health benefits of soy in animal feed. The program will also foster business linkages with U.S. soy-related cooperators and industry actors, including but not limited to WISHH (World Initiative for Soy in Human Health). The applicant institution must demonstrate subject matter expertise, logistical capacity, cultural awareness, and flexibility in program design to address participant needs and deliver tangible learning outcomes. The award cannot be used for capital purchases not directly tied to the program, lobbying, or litigation. Indirect costs are capped at 10% of direct costs, and while no match is required, applicants are encouraged to contribute cost-share where possible. The application must include a full proposal narrative, SF-424 and SF-424A forms, detailed budget with narrative, and a plan of operations covering logistics, curriculum, faculty qualifications, and cultural considerations. Applications must be submitted via the ezFedGrants portal and require an active SAM.gov registration. Applications are due by May 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Questions may be submitted until May 6, 2026. Submissions after the deadline will not be considered. Evaluation criteria include technical expertise (30 points), training plan (40 points), relevant experience (10 points), budget (15 points), and overall proposal quality (5 points). Award notices will follow a formal review process and be issued via email. The performance period is expected to be short-term, aligned with the duration of the training program. There is no indication of recurring cycles, but award extensions may be granted. Contact for this funding opportunity is Benjamin Kairn, International Program Specialist, reachable at [email protected] or 202-720-0430 during standard business hours. Additional program details are found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity issued by USDA/FAS.

Proposals should highlight logistics, faculty expertise, and alignment with the Uzbek participants’ backgrounds; clear action plans and cultural considerations are critical.