USDA 2026 America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP)

Program Overview

The America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP) is a competitive USDA program that supports international marketing and promotional activities for U.S. agricultural commodities. The program is designed to expand long-term demand for U.S. products in global markets while aligning with the Administration’s America First trade agenda.

All U.S. agricultural commodities—except tobacco—are eligible for consideration. For 2026, the USDA has designated China (including Hong Kong and Macau) as an ineligible market for program activities. Proposed work in these markets will not be approved.

Activities Supported

AFTPP funding supports two primary activity categories:

• Generic Activities: Trade servicing, commodity-level promotion, market research, and buyer engagement.
• Branded Activities: Promotion of value-added branded commodities such as consumer foods, food ingredients, feed ingredients, pet food, seafood, wood products, and hemp-derived products.

These activities must demonstrate long-term export market benefits and strategic alignment with U.S. commodity competitiveness.

Cost Sharing Requirements

Cost-share obligations depend on activity type:

• Generic Activities: Applicants must provide at least 10% of the USDA-reimbursed amount.
• Branded Activities: A 1:1 match is required (equal to the USDA reimbursement).

Both cash and in-kind contributions may qualify. Branded activities must relate to value-added agricultural products.

Eligible Applicants

Entities eligible to apply include:

• Nonprofit U.S. agricultural trade organizations
• State Regional Trade Groups (SRTGs)
• U.S. agricultural cooperatives
• U.S. state agencies

Applicants must be able to conduct export promotion for one or more U.S. agricultural commodities.

Funding Details

• Total Estimated Funding: Approximately $285,000,000
• Eligible Activities: International marketing, market development, and export promotion (excluding ineligible markets)
• Submission Deadline: January 23, 2026

For full eligibility rules and instructions, refer to the official USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Notice of Funding Opportunity (AFTPP 2026).

How LEC Partners Supports AFTPP Applicants

LEC Partners helps nonprofits, cooperatives, and state agencies strengthen AFTPP submissions by ensuring technical, financial, and market alignment with USDA expectations.

• Assessment of export market feasibility and long-term competitiveness
• Funding application packaging assistance
• Guidance on designing compliant branded and generic activity plans
• Review of cost-share structure and documentation
• Narrative development and justification of market impact
• Support for performance metrics, implementation plans, and risk mitigation

Our team applies decades of experience across agricultural commodities, market development, regulatory frameworks, and program compliance.

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