Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027
Strengthening West African Community Phytosanitary Practices is a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Office of Capacity Building and Development (OCBD) discretionary grant focused on improving plant health and trade readiness across West Africa by helping governments meet international phytosanitary standards. The core idea is to build practical, lasting capacity within ECOWAS member states by training National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) and working through strong regional coordination with ECOWAS and other key stakeholders. By raising technical competence and aligning procedures across borders, the program is meant to reduce trade frictions, improve pest and disease control, and support broader regional goals tied to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union SPS Policy Framework for Africa.
The selected recipient is expected to operate as a regional technical assistance partner that works closely with ECOWAS, NPPOs, and USDA/FAS to help countries implement priorities already identified in the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan for strengthening phytosanitary systems. A major emphasis is on harmonization: developing shared approaches to inspections, certification, surveillance, quarantine treatments, and information exchange so that countries can recognize each others systems more consistently and participate more effectively in international standard-setting processes. The opportunity also anticipates collaboration with other Land-Grant Universities, subject matter experts, research institutions, and African public and private institutions (including universities, government bodies, and NGOs), and it encourages coordination with local USDA and USAID offices as well as the related USDA Food for Progress SPS work happening in West Africa.
The objectives are straightforward but broad in scope. First, the program aims to provide regional assistance that helps ECOWAS countries carry out specific activities in the ECOWAS action plan. Second, it aims to deliver training and hands-on teaching that enables governments to harmonize import and export inspection procedures and related protocols across the region. Third, it seeks to improve regional coordination so countries can better comply with international phytosanitary standards and play a stronger role in shaping those standards. Finally, it calls for the creation of guidance documents and communication materials that can be shared widely, not only within ECOWAS but potentially across the African continent, to spread best practices and support consistent implementation.
Deliverables center on conducting at least three regional activities with ECOWAS, with priority content areas that reflect day-to-day operational needs of NPPOs. These include training on pest identification and detection, pest surveillance systems, and rapid response to invasive pests; training on risk-based inspection approaches and phytosanitary certification; and training on quarantine treatments, including correct application and safe handling. The program also targets the enabling systems around these functions by strengthening NPPO infrastructure, improving routine information-sharing among NPPOs, and supporting the development (or refinement) of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for phytosanitary measures so practices become more uniform and repeatable across countries.
A notable feature is the expectation of close coordination with USDA APHIS to facilitate technical exchanges that bring African experts to the United States to observe how harmonized phytosanitary practices are implemented in real inspection and border regulatory settings. These exchanges are framed not only as trade facilitation tools, but also as a way to strengthen food security and agricultural resilience by improving preparedness and response to invasive pests. Regionally, activities are intended to align with and be delivered through relevant African structures, including the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU/IAPSC), to reinforce continent-wide coherence rather than isolated country projects.
In addition to training and SOP development, the grant calls for technical support to strengthen science-based systems that collect, analyze, and share data on high-risk plant diseases, pests, and related hazards. It also includes an assessment component: providing technical assistance for a survey to identify institutional gaps and weaknesses that limit NPPO performance and that could inform a broader plant health safeguarding capacity-building program. Throughout implementation, the recipient is expected to monitor activities, evaluate progress against objectives, and report outcomes in a way that demonstrates measurable improvements in regional phytosanitary coordination and capability.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity (USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027; CFDA 10.960) listed an award ceiling of $350,000 with one expected award. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as clarified in the full notice. The original posting dates show creation on July 1, 2020, with an original closing date of July 31, 2020.Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027
- The Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening West African Community Phytosanitary Practices" 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 $350,000.00 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).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the “Strengthening West African Community Phytosanitary Practices” grant?
It is a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Office of Capacity Building and Development (OCBD) discretionary grant focused on improving plant health systems and trade readiness across West Africa by helping governments meet international phytosanitary standards.
What is the main purpose of this opportunity?
The program is designed to build practical, lasting phytosanitary capacity within ECOWAS member states by training National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) and strengthening regional coordination with ECOWAS and other stakeholders. The broader intent is to reduce trade frictions, improve pest and disease control, and support regional trade goals.
Which region does the program focus on?
The focus is West Africa, specifically ECOWAS member states, with an emphasis on regional approaches that can also support wider alignment across Africa.
Which government office is sponsoring the grant?
The sponsoring office is USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Office of Capacity Building and Development (OCBD).
What does “phytosanitary” mean in the context of this grant?
In this context, “phytosanitary” refers to plant health measures such as inspection, certification, surveillance, quarantine treatments, and related systems used to prevent the spread of pests and diseases through trade and movement of plant products.
Who is expected to carry out the work?
The selected recipient is expected to act as a regional technical assistance partner working closely with ECOWAS, NPPOs, and USDA/FAS to help countries implement priorities already identified in the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan for strengthening phytosanitary systems.
How does the program relate to ECOWAS priorities?
The recipient is expected to help ECOWAS countries implement activities that are already identified in the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan, rather than creating an unrelated set of priorities.
What are the core objectives of the grant?
The objectives include: (1) providing regional assistance to help ECOWAS countries carry out ECOWAS action plan activities; (2) delivering training and hands-on teaching to harmonize import/export inspection procedures and related protocols; (3) improving regional coordination to strengthen compliance with international phytosanitary standards and participation in standard-setting; and (4) creating guidance documents and communications materials that can be shared widely.
What does “harmonization” mean for this program?
Harmonization means developing shared, consistent approaches across countries for inspections, certification, surveillance, quarantine treatments, and information exchange so that national systems can recognize each other’s procedures more consistently and operate with fewer cross-border inconsistencies.
What types of activities are required as deliverables?
The program’s deliverables include conducting at least three regional activities with ECOWAS, focused on practical NPPO operational needs such as pest detection and surveillance, risk-based inspection and certification, and quarantine treatments.
How many regional activities are expected at minimum?
At least three regional activities with ECOWAS are required.
What training topics are specifically prioritized?
Priority training areas include: pest identification and detection; pest surveillance systems; rapid response to invasive pests; risk-based inspection approaches; phytosanitary certification; and quarantine treatments, including correct application and safe handling.
Does the grant include work on standard operating procedures (SOPs)?
Yes. The opportunity calls for supporting the development or refinement of SOPs for phytosanitary measures to make practices more uniform and repeatable across countries.
Is strengthening NPPO infrastructure part of the work?
Yes. In addition to training, the program targets enabling systems by strengthening NPPO infrastructure and improving routine information-sharing among NPPOs.
What role does information-sharing play in this grant?
Routine information-sharing among NPPOs is an explicit focus area, intended to improve regional coordination and support more consistent implementation of phytosanitary measures across borders.
Will the program support pest and disease data systems?
Yes. The grant calls for technical support to strengthen science-based systems that collect, analyze, and share data on high-risk plant diseases, pests, and related hazards.
Is there an assessment or survey component?
Yes. The program includes technical assistance for a survey to identify institutional gaps and weaknesses that limit NPPO performance, which could inform a broader plant health safeguarding capacity-building program.
Is coordination with USDA APHIS expected?
Yes. A notable expectation is close coordination with USDA APHIS to facilitate technical exchanges.
What are the USDA APHIS technical exchanges described in the opportunity?
The opportunity anticipates technical exchanges that bring African experts to the United States to observe how harmonized phytosanitary practices are implemented in real inspection and border regulatory settings.
Are the exchanges only about trade facilitation?
No. The exchanges are framed both as trade facilitation tools and as a way to strengthen food security and agricultural resilience by improving preparedness and response to invasive pests.
What regional and continental structures are activities expected to align with?
Activities are intended to align with and be delivered through relevant African structures, including the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU/IAPSC), to reinforce continent-wide coherence.
Does the program encourage collaboration with other organizations?
Yes. The opportunity anticipates collaboration with other Land-Grant Universities, subject matter experts, research institutions, and African public and private institutions (including universities, government bodies, and NGOs).
Is coordination with local USDA and USAID offices encouraged?
Yes. The notice encourages coordination with local USDA and USAID offices and also references related USDA Food for Progress SPS work happening in West Africa.
What are the expected outcomes of the grant?
The program expects measurable improvements in regional phytosanitary coordination and capability, including stronger technical competence, more consistent cross-border procedures, improved pest/disease control readiness, and better alignment with international phytosanitary standards.
Are reporting and evaluation required?
Yes. The recipient is expected to monitor activities, evaluate progress against objectives, and report outcomes to demonstrate measurable improvements.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed is $350,000.
How many awards are expected?
One award is expected.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as clarified in the full notice.
What is the program and funding identification information?
The opportunity references USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027 and CFDA 10.960.
What were the original posting and closing dates?
The original posting indicates creation on July 1, 2020, with an original closing date of July 31, 2020.
How does this grant connect to broader African trade and SPS policy goals?
The program is described as supporting broader regional goals tied to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union SPS Policy Framework for Africa by improving the region’s ability to implement consistent, internationally aligned phytosanitary practices.
Is the program designed as separate country projects or a coordinated regional effort?
It is designed as a coordinated regional effort, emphasizing harmonization across borders and regional delivery through ECOWAS and other relevant structures.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Rehabilitation Training: Innovative Rehabilitation Training Program: Assisting and Supporting Individuals with Disabilities Pursuing Self-Employment, Business Ownership and Telecommuting CFDA Number 84.26
Previous opportunity: Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Desert Southwest CESU
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Strengthening East African Community Phytosanitary Priorities Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0028 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0028 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Alignment of Pesticide Regulations and Standards Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0029 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0029 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $813,000 |
| Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2020 Cooperative Agreements Apply for USDA APHIS 10025 VSSPRS00 20 0124 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10025 VSSPRS00 20 0124 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Promoting Science and Rules Based Standards for Processed Food Ingredients in India and China Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0039 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0039 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $105,000 |
| Micro-Grants for Food Security Program Apply for USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 20 0010 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM MGFSP G 20 0010 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,938,557 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 007692 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 007692 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| FY 2020 FFPr Limited Merit-Based NOFO Apply for USDA FAS 0700 10606 C Funding Number: USDA FAS 0700 10606 C Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food for Progress 10.606 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $11,000,000 |
| Building Effective Communication Strategies and Messaging Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0003 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0003 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Promoting Science based standards in the Gulf Standardization Organization Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0004 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0004 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Apply for USDA FSA SND AMA 2020 Funding Number: USDA FSA SND AMA 2020 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $931,000 |
| Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Apply for USDA FSA SND NOCCSP 2020 Funding Number: USDA FSA SND NOCCSP 2020 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| Engaging APEC in Sustainable Agricultural Development Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0005 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0005 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium (IATRC) Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0006 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0006 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Technical Agricultural Assistance 10.960 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| FY 2020 FFPr Limited Merit-Based NOFO 2 Apply for USDA FAS 0700 10606 C2 Funding Number: USDA FAS 0700 10606 C2 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food for Progress 10.606 Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $11,000,000 |
| Support to Global Agricultural Innovation Agenda and Forum Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0007 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 20 0007 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions (1890 COEs) Apply for USDA NIFA 1890COE 007732 Funding Number: USDA NIFA 1890COE 007732 Agency: Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,800,000 |
| Opportunity title from S2S Apply for KV SU 09192020 0614 Funding Number: KV SU 09192020 0614 Agency: General Dynamics Information Technology Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Opportunity title from S2S Apply for KV SU 09192020 0611 Funding Number: KV SU 09192020 0611 Agency: General Dynamics Information Technology Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Opportunity title from S2S Apply for KV SU 09192020 0623 Funding Number: KV SU 09192020 0623 Agency: General Dynamics Information Technology Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Pre-NOFO-Notice FTF Horticulture IL Apply for PD HORT IL Funding Number: PD HORT IL Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $39,500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 20 0027", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.