Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0028
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), through its Office of Capacity Building and Development (OCBD), is offering a discretionary grant opportunity called Strengthening East African Community Phytosanitary Priorities (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0028; CFDA/Assistance Listing: 10.960). The aim is to help East African Community (EAC) Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) strengthen their ability to manage plant health (phytosanitary) issues in a more consistent, transparent, and internationally aligned way. The opportunity is built around a practical problem in the region: countries face uneven capacity to handle sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) responsibilities, and gaps in infrastructure, staffing, and information systems can lead to trade delays, rejections at borders, and reduced regional and international market access. By improving how phytosanitary systems work across borders, the program is meant to support both trade expansion and food security.
A central feature of the grant is that it builds on work led by the East African Phytosanitary Information Committee (EAPIC), an ad hoc group of plant pest regulatory officials that has been active since 2006. USDA has previously supported EAPIC efforts such as developing a Regional Harmonized Pest List and improving information sharing through tools like pest databases. This new project continues that trajectory by focusing on harmonization and mutual recognition of phytosanitary systems across EAC countries, so that member states can apply compatible rules and procedures, reduce unnecessary technical barriers to trade, and handle plant pest risks using shared scientific approaches. The work is also designed to align with international obligations and best practices, especially the World Trade Organization (WTO) SPS Agreement and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), while also supporting broader African trade goals such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union SPS Policy Framework for Africa.
The recipient selected for the award is expected to work closely with the EAC Secretariat, national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) in member states, and USDA/FAS, and to coordinate with in-country USDA and USAID offices. The project can also be implemented in collaboration with Land-Grant Universities, other universities, research institutions, public and private African institutions, non-governmental organizations, and external subject matter experts. A notable expectation is that the technical assistance delivered should reflect a strong understanding of U.S. phytosanitary systems and regulatory approaches, since part of the value is creating deeper technical links between U.S. and East African institutions. The recipient is also expected to coordinate with a related USDA Food for Progress SPS effort in East Africa (including the TRASE program referenced in the opportunity), so the different investments reinforce rather than duplicate each other.
Programmatically, the grant focuses on establishing, convening, and participating in regional technical working groups to advise and support the EAC as it harmonizes SPS protocols across the region. The thrust is practical harmonization: aligning procedures, building common tools and operating methods, and strengthening regional coordination so that pest risks are managed efficiently and scientifically, and so that border processes are smoother and more predictable. The opportunity emphasizes transparent, science-based decision-making that meets international standards, which in practice points toward improved pest risk analysis (PRA), better surveillance and outbreak response, and stronger documentation and standard operating procedures.
The notice provides examples of activities that could be funded, which together outline the intended scope. These include reviewing existing regional efforts for plant disease prevention, surveillance, and mitigation and using that review to shape a comprehensive regional plan; developing a roadmap for a regional prevention and surveillance plan that accounts for financial needs, human capacity, and technical requirements; analyzing current integrated plant disease control and management practices and scaling up what works best across the EAC; and creating coordination and communication protocols for timely response to plant disease outbreaks. The program also anticipates work to better integrate plant protection activities across instruments and policies at the continental, regional, and national levels, and to develop and strengthen standard operating procedures (SOPs) for phytosanitary measures based on both regional experience and international practice.
Another important strand is continued support for EAPIC objectives, including ensuring that the PIMS database (referenced as a key information tool) is usable for individual countries to enter and manage pest data, that countries understand how to input data correctly, and that the resulting information supports pest risk analyses and verification of regional pest status. The opportunity also highlights facilitating guidelines for how EAC countries can adopt PRAs at the national level, which is often a sticking point when regional technical work needs to translate into national regulatory action. In addition, the program supports moving forward a regional plant health working group in coordination with Food for Progress TRASE activities, indicating an emphasis on durable regional coordination structures rather than one-off workshops.
Trade outcomes are explicitly part of the design, including quality assurance and certification, value addition, trade facilitation, and business promotion in selected value chains such as coffee, tea, cacao, and horticulture. These sectors are typically sensitive to pest risks and phytosanitary compliance, so improvements in surveillance, certification, and harmonized border procedures can translate into real reductions in shipment risk and transaction costs. The notice also points to collaboration with USDA APHIS to facilitate technical exchanges that bring African experts to the United States to learn about harmonized inspection systems, border regulatory practices, and approaches that improve resilience against invasive pests. This exchange component is framed as regional, coordinated through the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU/IAPSC), reinforcing the idea that the work should strengthen regional institutions and networks.
Capacity building is a recurring expectation throughout the opportunity. Proposed work may include technical trainings on science-based systems for gathering, analyzing, and sharing information about high-risk pests, diseases, or food safety hazards. It may also include technical assistance to conduct a survey that identifies institutional gaps limiting NPPO performance, with the longer-term goal of shaping an Africa-focused NPPO plant health safeguarding capacity building program. Finally, the recipient is expected to monitor implementation, evaluate progress against objectives, and report outcomes, indicating that the grant is meant to produce measurable improvements in harmonization, coordination, and phytosanitary performance rather than only delivering activities.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created July 1, 2020, with an original closing date of July 31, 2020. The anticipated award structure was a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $500,000. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as clarified in the opportunity materials. Overall, the grant is best understood as a targeted technical assistance and regional coordination project meant to strengthen plant health governance across the EAC, reduce avoidable trade friction, and improve the region’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to plant pest and disease threats using internationally accepted, science-based standards.Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0028
- The Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening East African Community Phytosanitary Priorities" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.960.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 01, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2020. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this USDA grant opportunity?
The opportunity is called Strengthening East African Community Phytosanitary Priorities.
Which USDA office is offering this funding?
The grant is offered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), through its Office of Capacity Building and Development (OCBD).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0028.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this opportunity?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 10.960.
What problem is this grant intended to address?
The grant targets uneven capacity across East African Community (EAC) Partner States to meet sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) responsibilities. Gaps in infrastructure, staffing, and information systems can cause trade delays, border rejections, and reduced access to regional and international markets. The project is designed to strengthen phytosanitary systems and reduce avoidable technical barriers to trade while supporting food security.
Which countries are included in the East African Community (EAC) Partner States for this project?
The opportunity focuses on EAC Partner States: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
What does "phytosanitary" mean in the context of this program?
In this program, phytosanitary refers to plant health rules, systems, and measures used to prevent, detect, control, and respond to plant pests and diseases, especially as they affect trade and cross-border movement of plants and plant products.
What is the overall goal of the grant?
The aim is to help EAC Partner States manage plant health issues in a more consistent, transparent, and internationally aligned way, including harmonization and mutual recognition of phytosanitary approaches across the region.
How does this opportunity relate to regional harmonization?
A central focus is practical harmonization and mutual recognition across EAC countries so member states can apply compatible rules and procedures, reduce unnecessary technical barriers to trade, and manage plant pest risks using shared scientific approaches.
How does the grant connect to international standards or agreements?
The work is designed to align with international obligations and best practices, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) SPS Agreement and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). It also supports broader African trade goals such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union SPS Policy Framework for Africa.
What is EAPIC and why is it important to this project?
The East African Phytosanitary Information Committee (EAPIC) is an ad hoc group of plant pest regulatory officials active since 2006. This opportunity builds on prior USDA support to EAPIC, including development of a Regional Harmonized Pest List and improved information sharing tools such as pest databases.
What types of partners is the recipient expected to work with?
The selected recipient is expected to work closely with the EAC Secretariat, national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) in member states, and USDA/FAS, and coordinate with in-country USDA and USAID offices. The project can also involve Land-Grant Universities, other universities, research institutions, public and private African institutions, NGOs, and external subject matter experts.
What are NPPOs in this context?
NPPOs are the national plant protection organizations in EAC member states that carry out core plant health regulatory and phytosanitary functions.
Is knowledge of U.S. phytosanitary systems relevant to the project?
Yes. The technical assistance is expected to reflect a strong understanding of U.S. phytosanitary systems and regulatory approaches, as part of building deeper technical links between U.S. and East African institutions.
Does the opportunity require coordination with other USDA programs in East Africa?
Yes. The recipient is expected to coordinate with a related USDA Food for Progress SPS effort in East Africa, including the TRASE program referenced in the notice, to ensure investments reinforce each other rather than duplicate efforts.
What are the main program activities emphasized in the notice?
The grant emphasizes establishing, convening, and participating in regional technical working groups that advise and support EAC efforts to harmonize SPS protocols. The emphasis is on practical alignment of procedures, common tools and methods, stronger regional coordination, and transparent, science-based decision-making.
What kinds of technical outputs does the program point toward?
The notice points toward outputs such as improved pest risk analysis (PRA), strengthened surveillance and outbreak response, and stronger documentation and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for phytosanitary measures.
What example activities could be funded under this grant?
Examples listed in the notice include reviewing existing regional efforts for plant disease prevention, surveillance, and mitigation; developing a roadmap for a regional prevention and surveillance plan (including financial, human capacity, and technical needs); analyzing integrated plant disease control and management practices and scaling up effective approaches; creating coordination and communication protocols for timely outbreak response; integrating plant protection activities across continental, regional, and national instruments and policies; and developing or strengthening SOPs based on regional and international practice.
What is the PIMS database and how is it expected to be used?
The notice references the PIMS database as a key information tool. The project is expected to support making PIMS usable for individual countries to enter and manage pest data, ensure countries understand correct data entry, and ensure the information supports pest risk analyses and verification of regional pest status.
Does the program address how regional work translates into national regulatory action?
Yes. The opportunity highlights facilitating guidelines for how EAC countries can adopt pest risk analyses (PRAs) at the national level, recognizing that regional technical work often needs clear pathways into national implementation.
What role do regional working groups play in the project?
The project supports moving forward a regional plant health working group, including coordination with Food for Progress TRASE activities, with an emphasis on durable regional coordination structures rather than one-off events.
Are trade outcomes a formal part of the grant design?
Yes. Trade outcomes are explicitly included, such as quality assurance and certification, value addition, trade facilitation, and business promotion in selected value chains.
Which value chains are specifically mentioned?
The notice mentions value chains such as coffee, tea, cacao, and horticulture.
Does the opportunity mention collaboration with USDA APHIS?
Yes. The notice points to collaboration with USDA APHIS to facilitate technical exchanges that bring African experts to the United States to learn about harmonized inspection systems, border regulatory practices, and approaches to strengthen resilience against invasive pests.
Is there a regional or continental coordination element tied to these exchanges?
Yes. The exchange component is framed as regional and coordinated through the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU/IAPSC), reinforcing the intent to strengthen regional institutions and networks.
What kinds of training or capacity building does the notice anticipate?
The notice anticipates technical trainings on science-based systems for gathering, analyzing, and sharing information about high-risk pests, diseases, or food safety hazards, along with broader technical assistance to strengthen phytosanitary performance.
Does the opportunity include any diagnostic or assessment activity?
Yes. Proposed work may include technical assistance to conduct a survey identifying institutional gaps that limit NPPO performance, with a longer-term goal of shaping an Africa-focused NPPO plant health safeguarding capacity building program.
Are monitoring, evaluation, and reporting required?
Yes. The recipient is expected to monitor implementation, evaluate progress against objectives, and report outcomes, with the intent to produce measurable improvements in harmonization, coordination, and phytosanitary performance.
How many awards were expected under this opportunity?
The notice indicates one expected award (Expected Awards: 1).
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $500,000.
When was the opportunity created and when did it originally close?
The opportunity was created on July 1, 2020, with an original closing date of July 31, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply based on the notice summary provided?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as clarified in the opportunity materials.
Is the project mainly about infrastructure purchases or technical assistance and coordination?
Based on the notice description, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted technical assistance and regional coordination project focused on harmonization, shared tools and procedures, capacity building, and science-based phytosanitary systems.
What does success look like for this grant based on the description?
Success is framed as measurable improvements in regional harmonization and coordination, stronger phytosanitary systems and SOPs, better pest information management and PRA adoption, improved outbreak preparedness and response, and reduced avoidable trade friction such as delays or rejections at borders.
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