Selected Recipients for this Program

Not Applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions

No funding is available for unsolicited proposals.

Cochran Program funds are used for providing training to international exchange visitors to improve agricultural production in their home countries.

Funds are also used for course development and evaluation.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The Cochran Program solicits proposals for training in improved agriculture technics from U.S.

institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, U.S.

agricultural trade and market development associations, and private consultants.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Technical assistance provided through these agreements benefits foreign governments and agricultural institutions in their countries.

Credentials/Documentation

No Credentials or documentation are required. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notices of Funding Opportunity will be distributed through the USDA/NIFA Office of International Programs and on the USDA ezFedGrants portal at https://grants.fms.usda.gov . They will not be posted on grants.gov.

Award Procedures

All proposals are evaluated by technical specialists, which rate the qualifications of applicants and the merits of the proposals.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

Agriculture Development and Trade Act of 1990, Title XV, Part D, Section 1543, Public Law 101-624, 104 Stat. 3694, 7 U.S.C 3293, as amended by Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992, Title VII, Section 705, Public Law 102-511, 106 Stat. 3349, 7 U.S.C 3293, as amended by Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act Amendments of 1991, Title X, Section 1002, Public Law 102-237, 105 Stat. 1894, 7 U.S.C 3293, as amended by Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Title II, Part C, Section 277, Public Law 104-127, 110 Stat. 978, 7 U.S.C 3293.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Extensions may be authorized.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance is phased according to the requirements of individual projects, generally up to one year. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

A final program report is required as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Cash reports are not applicable.

Periodic progress reports are required.

Periodic financial reports are required.

Training evaluation reports are required.

Participant evaluations and development of post-training action plans are required.

Audits

No audits are required for this program.

Records

Awardees must keep all documentation on file for at least 3 years after the closure of the agreement.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-2900-0-1-352.

Obigations

(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 16 $4,078,009; FY 17 est $3,440,000; and FY 18 est $3,870,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Training activities last approximately two weeks. Average cost of each project is $60,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Desiree Thomas 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20250-1031 Email: desiree.thomas@fas.usda.gov Phone: 202-690-0947

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria are dependent upon identification of specific project requirements and program priorities developed by the Foreign Agricultural Service's Office of Capacity Building and Development (FAS/OCBD), in consultation with collaborating agencies and organizations. Contact FAS/OCBD for additional information. While this program does not fund unsolicited proposals, interested parties are welcome to submit statements of capability and expressions of interest.