Branded Program
Funding Amount
50% cost reimbursement
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
Branded Program
Organization: Food Export USA–Northeast and Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
Overview: The Branded Program provides 50 percent cost reimbursement for a wide variety of international marketing activities for food and agricultural exporters.
- Serves 23 member states including Pennsylvania (Northeast region: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont)
Geographic Scope
- International website development
- Foreign market-compliant packaging and labels
- Advertising and public relations
- In-store promotions and product demonstrations
- Fees for exhibiting at select overseas and domestic trade shows
- Marketing and point-of-sale materials
- Freight costs for product samples
- Lodging (up to two company representatives at eligible foreign trade shows or FAS-sponsored trade missions)
- Travel costs to and from eligible international trade shows (with pre-travel notification)
- Trade show booth setup, promotional literature, posters, giveaway items
Eligible Activities for Reimbursement
- Equipment and furniture must be rented (not purchased) to be eligible for reimbursement
- Examples: refrigerator displays, chairs, microwave ovens for serving samples
Equipment/Furniture Requirements
- For international shows, a US Origin Statement must be visible on all submitted materials (booth, sell sheets, posters, giveaway items)
- Pre-travel notifications required for international travel (must notify local FAS post with traveler names, dates of stay, and event details)
- Hotel folios required as proof of lodging (must show check-in and check-out dates and guest name(s))
- Claims must be submitted within 60 days of event completion
International Trade Show Requirements
- Photographs of booth and all promotional materials
- All invoices and receipts (no matter how small)
- Hotel folio from hotel (not third-party booking confirmations alone)
- Online booking confirmations paired with hotel receipt
- Pre-travel notification emails for international travel
Documentation Requirements
- Funded through the Market Access Program (MAP) and Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
Funding Source
- U.S. food and agricultural suppliers from member states
- Priority given to suppliers with clear international focus
- Companies focusing solely on domestic activities for 2+ years encouraged to begin international activities
- Applications evaluated on: performance history, return on investment, international markets
- Must be in compliance with applicable FDA requirements
Eligibility Criteria
- 2025 program year opened with updated pricing structure
- Early bird discount available for applications submitted by December 31, 2024
Program Year
- Branded Program Team available for questions regarding eligibility
- Contact through foodexport.org or Liaison representatives
Contact
- Food Export reserves the right to deny services to any firm that does not comply with FAS, MAP, or Food Export regulations
- Submission of false or misleading information may result in rejection or revocation of application or participation
Non-Funding Notes
How to Apply
Application Process
1. Pre-qualification Phase
- Submit pre-qualification form at https://www.foodexport.org/programs/market-promotion/branded-program/
- Food Export staff reviews company eligibility
- Company receives approval to proceed to full application
2. Application Submission
- Complete full Branded Program application in Food Export portal
- Submit application fee (see deadline section for fee amounts)
- Application fee must be paid before application can be submitted
- No further edits possible after submission
3. Food Export Review
- First step: Internal review by Food Export staff
- Applications reviewed on: performance history, return on investment, international markets
4. State Review
- Application reviewed by representative from state's Department of Agriculture
- State rating approved status assigned
5. Final Approval
- Application approved by Food Export
- Contract documents sent via email to application contact
- Company has 30 days to return signed documents and administrative fee to secure allocation
- Failure to return within 30 days results in application being dropped
6. Contract Execution
- Required documents to return:
- Branded Program Agreement (signed)
- IRS Form W-9
- Brand Ownership Form (if applicable—when promoting brands not owned by company)
- Invoice for Administrative Fee (signed)
- Conflict of Interest Form
- ACH Form (for receipt of reimbursements)
- Once both company and Food Export Executive Director sign, contract is finalized
- Company officially becomes Branded Program participant
7. Claim Submission
- Submit marketing activity and trade show claims within 60 days of activity completion
- Claims submitted beyond 60 days may be denied
- Provide all documentation (photos, receipts, invoices, hotel folios)
- Pre-qualification form
- Full application through portal
- Photographs of booth and promotional materials
- All invoices and receipts for expenses
- Hotel folios for lodging (if applicable)
- Online booking confirmations
- Pre-travel notification documentation (for international travel)
- IRS Form W-9
- Brand Ownership Form (if applicable)
- Conflict of Interest Form
- ACH Form
Required Materials
- By December 31, 2024: $300 (early bird rate)
- On or after January 1, 2025: $350 (regular rate)
- Administrative Fee: Required at contract signing (amount varies)
Application Fee Structure
- Access through Food Export portal at foodexport.org
- Applicants can track application status at any time
Application Portal
- Updated 2025 Branded Program Exporter Manual available at: https://www.foodexport.org/wp-content/uploads/Branded-Program-Exporter-Manual.pdf
- Essential resource with information on eligibility, rules, and reimbursement guidelines
Branded Program Manual
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
Categories
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