In an effort to support projects designed to remove trade barriers and help U.S. firms to export, the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) is soliciting export development project submissions from non-profit industry groups. As part of its annual competition, the ITA will select a limited number of organizations to receive up to $300,000 of federal funding, in addition to special multi-year support from ITA's international network of trade professionals.
ITA will post an opportunity notice on grants.gov for export development grants regarding this opportunity on March 7, 2024, and applications will be due on May 6.
To support interested organizations, ITA will host a webinar on March 7 from 1:30- 2:30 ET that will provide an overview on how to complete the MDCP application. ANSI encourages all relevant associations, small business development centers, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and other non-profits to apply.
A number of ANSI members and the standards developing organizations have successfully participated in the MDCP program before; access information on MDCP active projects and completed projects online. Past MDCP projects have included: trade barrier removal; industry export expansion; standards and regulatory adoption; infrastructure and training; and industry advocacy.
Organizations can see eligibility and start brainstorming project ideas with ITA online.
