Call for Applications: Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Initiative (United States)

Deadline: 26-Oct-2026

The Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Program supports the development and validation of low-oxygen storage and packaging technologies for U.S. tree nuts to address international phytosanitary and pesticide-residue requirements. A single award of up to $2 million is available for projects lasting up to five years, with a focus on commercially viable, traceable, and verifiable technologies that can help U.S. exporters meet importing-country requirements. The Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Initiative aims to address barriers that limit the export of U.S. horticultural products. For U.S. tree nuts, international markets may impose phytosanitary requirements related to insect infestation and maximum residue limits. Meeting these requirements can require costly treatments such as fumigation or freezing, creating additional logistical and commercial challenges for exporters. The program supports the development of alternative low-oxygen storage and packaging systems that can provide verifiable phytosanitary protection while supporting commercial export operations. The initiative seeks technically and economically viable technologies that allow U.S. tree nut shippers to demonstrate that required low-oxygen conditions have been maintained.

Proposed solutions should support:

The technologies should be practical enough for implementation by the industry and capable of supporting official certification as phytosanitary treatments. International export markets may require treatments to prevent insect infestation or meet other phytosanitary conditions. Current approaches such as fumigation and freezing can involve significant costs and logistical requirements. The program therefore focuses on technologies that could provide an alternative approach through controlled low-oxygen environments combined with reliable verification and traceability. The resulting systems should provide evidence that required conditions have been achieved and maintained. Proposed technologies should be designed around practical implementation and reliable verification.

Key technology areas include:

Systems should allow oxygen content within packaging to be verified without damaging or opening the package. Technologies should provide a way to verify that packaging remains properly sealed and that the controlled atmosphere has been maintained. Solutions should incorporate digital tools for mapping, documentation, and traceability of relevant storage and packaging conditions. The program is seeking technologies applicable to both bulk packaging and retail packaging formats. The technologies developed through the project must be readily implementable and commercially available within one year. This requirement emphasizes practical solutions that can move relatively quickly from development and validation into commercial use. Projects should therefore demonstrate a realistic pathway toward implementation rather than focusing exclusively on theoretical or early-stage technology development. Recycling options for packaging materials are encouraged. Proposed solutions should consider international packaging requirements, including regulations such as the EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation. Applicants should consider how packaging materials and technology designs can support regulatory compliance while maintaining the required phytosanitary functionality.

The program provides:

The project may also issue subawards to partners working on targeted technology solutions or research topics that directly support the overall project objectives. The selected recipient will coordinate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that developed technologies are commercially viable and suitable for phytosanitary certification.

Expected collaboration may involve:

This collaborative approach is intended to connect technology development with the practical requirements of exporters and regulatory authorities. Subawards may be provided to partners for targeted technology development or research activities. Subaward topics should align directly with the program’s objectives, such as: The program is open to a broad range of organizations and businesses.

Eligible applicants include:

All applicants must have an active registration in the U.S. Government System for Award Management (SAM.gov) before an award can be made. Only one application per applicant is permitted. Organizations should therefore ensure that their submission represents their strongest and most complete proposal addressing the program objectives. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required, meaning applicants can propose projects without mandatory matching contributions. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their proposed technology addresses the export challenges targeted by the initiative.

A strong proposal should:

It is an initiative supporting the development and validation of low-oxygen storage and packaging systems designed to help U.S. tree nut exporters address international phytosanitary requirements. A single award of up to $2 million is available. The project can run for up to five years. The program seeks low-oxygen storage and packaging technologies that are technically and economically viable, verifiable, traceable, and suitable for commercial implementation. The proposed solutions should support non-invasive verification of oxygen content and verification of packaging seal integrity. Yes. Digital mapping and record-keeping are among the technology features identified for the project. Yes. The project is intended to address both bulk and retail packaging formats. The technologies must be readily implementable and commercially available within one year. Yes. Recycling options for packaging materials are encouraged, particularly in consideration of international requirements such as the EU Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation. Eligible applicants include U.S. academic institutions, state governments, nonprofits, trade associations, agricultural c