Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC)

The Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program funds projects that address sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops. Eligible activities include seminars and workshops, study tours, field surveys, pest and disease research, and pre-clearance programs. Eligible crops include all cultivated plants and their products produced in the United States except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar, and tobacco. Awards are for a maximum of $500,000 per year and for projects of up to five years.

The TASC program is intended to benefit an entire industry or commodity rather than a specific company or brand. U.S. non-profit, for-profit, and government entities are eligible to apply. Proposals may target individual countries or reasonable regional groupings of countries. Each year, FAS announces the TASC application period and criteria on its website and via Grants.gov.

 

Resources

Policies & Procedures
General Pay Scale
Eligibility of Hemp and Hemp Products under the FAS Market Access Programs
Federal Travel Regulation and the U.S. Open Skies Agreements
List of Restricted Countries - Prohibition of U.S. Assistance and Financing
FY 2023 Compliance Review Schedule - Market Development Programs
FY 2021 Compliance Review Schedule - Market Development Programs
FY 2020 Compliance Review Schedule - Market Development Programs
Amendment Request Template
Regulations
7 CFR Part 1487 - Technical Assistance for Speciality Crops
Federal Register Notices
Final Rule Amending TASC Regulations (2014)
Directories
U.S. Market Development Program Cooperators

News and Features

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News Release

USDA Invests $8.3 Million to Address Trade Barriers and Expand Market Access for Specialty Crops

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced it is awarding $8.3 million in funding to help 11 U.S. recipients address trade barriers and expand international market access for U.S. specialty crops. The funding is...
News Release

USDA Announces Agricultural Trade Promotion Programs for FY 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for 2025 and accepting applications for four export market development programs.
Stakeholder Notice

USDA Accepting Applications for FY 2025 Export Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications from eligible organizations for fiscal year 2025 funding for five export market development programs.