The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has announced the Technical Support for Ukraine’s Dairy Sector funding opportunity. This program seeks to increase the resilience, productivity, and profitability of Ukraine’s dairy sector, which has been significantly impacted by Russia’s invasion. The initiative will provide technical assistance and collaboration with a Ukrainian local partner to address critical needs in dairy farm management, veterinary services, and industry connections.

Eligible applicants are limited to state cooperative institutions or other U.S. colleges and universities, as defined in 7 USC 3103. Applicants must have active registration in SAM.gov before the submission deadline. Cost-sharing or matching funds are not required. The total available federal funding for this program is two hundred fifty thousand dollars, and USDA anticipates making one award under this opportunity.

The program requires applicants to design and implement technical assistance to improve farm resilience and profitability through enhanced farm management and feed formulation. They must also improve animal care through better veterinary services, disease prevention, and biosecurity management. Additionally, applicants must research, recommend, and facilitate connections between Ukraine’s dairy sector and U.S. industry. Collaboration with a USDA-identified Ukrainian partner organization is mandatory, as the local partner will play a key role in implementing activities on the ground.

The application must include standard forms SF-424 and SF-424A, a detailed project narrative of no more than seven pages, a budget table, and a budget narrative. The project narrative must clearly explain how the applicant will address program goals, work with the Ukrainian partner, and establish capacity-building outcomes for Ukraine’s dairy sector workforce. The proposal should include plans for monitoring and evaluating project outputs and outcomes. Applicants must also submit a list of past federally funded agreements demonstrating their programmatic capability and past performance.

Applications will be evaluated based on their overall program plan, budget, past performance, and professional presentation. Factors include the quality of technical assistance plans, collaboration with the Ukrainian partner, and capacity to achieve program outcomes. Proposals will be reviewed by a panel, and USDA reserves the right to conduct risk assessments and request clarifications before final award decisions.

The deadline for applications is January 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Questions about the opportunity must be submitted by January 2, 2025. Applications must be emailed to the program officer, Melissa Yeakley Martin, at melissa.yeakley@usda.gov. Awarded projects are anticipated to be cost-reimbursable agreements, and reporting requirements include quarterly financial and performance reports.