Apply for the Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP)

The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) offers grants with a one-to-one dollar match to assist in exploring new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products, and to encourage research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the marketing system.

• MDAR will host two informational webinars on the FSMIP, on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 2:00pm and Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 10:00am.
  Please contact Rebecca.Davidson@mass.gov to register.
• The deadline to submit an application is March 24, 2023 at 2:00pm.

Who May Apply?

FSMIP funds can be allotted to State Departments of Agriculture, State Agricultural Experiment Stations, and other appropriate Agencies. The  State Departments of Agriculture can cooperate with:

-State Agricultural Experiment Stations

-Other appropriate Agencies

-Universities

-Institutions

-Producer, industry or community-based organizations, as appropriate.      

FSMIP will not award grant funds for projects that solely benefit one individual farm or agribusiness. FSMIP projects must benefit multiple producers or agribusinesses, or have agricultural sector-wide impact.

Request for Response (RFR)

2023 FSMIP RFR - This document outlines and explains all details, requirements, and instructions for the FSMIP.

The FSMIP FY23 RFR and other supporting documentation and information is posted openly on COMMBUYS under Bid # BD-23-1002-1003-001-84359.

FSMIP funds a wide range of applied research projects that address barriers, challenges, and opportunities in marketing, transportation, and distribution of U.S. food and agricultural products domestically and internationally.

Eligible agricultural categories include poultry, livestock, livestock products, dairy, food, feed and fiber crops, fish and shellfish, horticulture, viticulture, apiary, and forest products and processed or manufactured products derived from such commodities.  Reflecting the growing diversity of U.S. agriculture, in recent years, FSMIP has funded projects dealing with nutraceuticals, bioenergy, compost, and products made from agricultural residues.

Proposals may deal with barriers, challenges or opportunities manifesting at any stage of the marketing chain including direct, wholesale, and retail.  Proposals that involve training or education programs must include a research component that tests the effects of the program on the marketing goals.

Proposals may involve small, medium or large-scale agricultural entities but must benefit multiple producers or agribusinesses, whereas proposals that benefit one business or individual will not be considered.  Proposals that address issues of importance at the State, regional or national level are appropriate for FSMIP.  FSMIP will consider unique proposals on a smaller scale that may serve as pilot projects or case studies useful as models for others. Such proposals must include an objective to analyze opportunities and formulate recommendations with regard to how the project could be scaled up or expanded to other regions. 

FSMIP’s enabling legislation authorizes projects to

• Determine the best methods for processing, preparing for market, packing, handling, transporting, storing, distributing, and marketing agricultural products.
• Determine the costs of marketing agricultural products in their various forms and through various channels.
• Assist in the development of more efficient marketing methods, practices and facilities to bring about more efficient and orderly marketing, and reduce the price spread between the producer and the consumer.
• Develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices.
• Eliminate artificial barriers to the free movement of agricultural products in commercial channels.
• Foster new/expanded domestic/foreign markets and new/expanded uses of agricultural products.
• Collect and disseminate marketing information to anticipate and meet consumer requirements, maintain farm income, and balance production and utilization.

To the extent applicable at the time a project is commenced under the terms of any contract, projects must be conducted in accordance applicable federal, state, and local public health orders, regulations, ordinances, or other guidance issued related to COVID-19.