Implementation of Regionally Harmonized Pesticide Regulations and Standards in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) | USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0023

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0023

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) grant opportunity titled "Implementation of Regionally Harmonized Pesticide Regulations and Standards in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC)" is a discretionary cooperative agreement designed to reduce trade frictions caused by uneven or non-aligned pesticide and food safety rules across the region. The central issue FAS is trying to address is that, even though the United States is one of the largest trading partners for many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. agricultural exports can be delayed, restricted, or blocked when sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and food safety measures in the destination markets do not match international norms or are applied inconsistently. In practice, these kinds of regulatory gaps often show up in pesticide-related requirements, including how countries set and enforce maximum residue limits (MRLs) and how they evaluate and register pesticides, which directly affects whether imported products can legally enter the market.

The program focuses on technical assistance rather than infrastructure or direct service delivery. FAS intends for the recipient to work with LAC government officials and relevant regional bodies to strengthen understanding and adoption of science-based, trade-facilitating pesticide regulations and standards. A major theme is alignment with approaches used by the United States and international standard-setting bodies, meaning the project is expected to encourage regulatory decisions that are transparent, risk-based, and consistent with globally recognized frameworks. At the same time, the opportunity emphasizes helping partner countries comply with their own MRL guidelines, which signals that the project is not only about changing rules on paper but also about improving practical implementation, enforcement consistency, and regulator capacity to apply existing national and regional policies correctly.

Geographically and institutionally, the effort is framed around LAC regional economic communities, specifically the Central American Regional Economic Community, the Andean Community (CAN), the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), and the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). That regional emphasis suggests the work is meant to support harmonization across multiple countries at once, not just isolated national reforms. The underlying trade logic is that when pesticide rules, MRL processes, and related SPS measures become more consistent across neighboring countries and better aligned with international standards, exporters face fewer surprises, compliance costs drop, and market access becomes more predictable. For U.S. agriculture, that translates into fewer disruptions and a clearer pathway to maintain or expand exports into these markets.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is offered by the Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service under CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 10.960. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means FAS expects to remain substantively involved during implementation (for example, through collaboration on work planning, technical direction, coordination with counterpart governments, or review of deliverables), rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal federal engagement. The opportunity number is USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0023. The posted award ceiling is $1,499,000, and FAS anticipated making one award, indicating a single lead implementer would likely coordinate the full regional scope. The original closing date listed for applications was September 5, 2023, and the opportunity was created on July 26, 2023.

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full notice. In many FAS technical assistance opportunities, that category can include a range of capable implementers such as non-profits, universities, trade associations, research institutions, or other organizations with demonstrated expertise in pesticide regulation, SPS systems, risk analysis, regulatory harmonization, capacity building, and international agricultural trade. Regardless of the specific eligible entity types, the nature of the work clearly calls for an applicant that can operate regionally, convene and train technical regulators, translate complex standards into practical regulatory guidance, and coordinate effectively with multiple governments and regional economic communities.

Overall, the grant is aimed at improving regulatory coherence in pesticide standards across Latin America and the Caribbean by strengthening technical capacity and encouraging adoption of science-based, internationally consistent approaches. The expected result is fewer SPS and food safety-related barriers that disrupt trade, better implementation of MRL-related rules, and more stable market access conditions for agricultural products traded between the United States and LAC countries.

• The Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Implementation of Regionally Harmonized Pesticide Regulations and Standards in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC)" 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 26, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 05, 2023. (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 $1,499,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0023

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