Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) awards include financial and technical assistance from the International Trade Administration (ITA) to support projects that help U.S. companies to compete in international markets. An MDCP award establishes a partnership between ITA and non-profit industry groups like trade associations and standards-developing organizations. Such groups are particularly effective in reaching small- and medium-size enterprises. The non-profit groups compete for a limited number of MDCP awards by proposing innovative projects that address trade barriers, enhance industry competitiveness, and generate exports that create or sustain U.S. jobs. Industry groups pledge to pay a minimum of two-thirds of the project cost and to sustain the project after the MDCP award period ends. On average from 1997 through 2018, projects generated $357 in exports for every $1 of MDCP awards made.
Individual Award Limit of $300,000.
Funds may be expended over a minimum of three years at whatever rate makes sense for the project undertaken. The project period may not exceed five years.
Flyer: This two-page flyer is the same one that is available in hard-copy from U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) nationwide as well as from other ITA staff based in Washington, DC. Linking to this flyer avoids printing, but additional print copies can be ordered from Brad.Hess@trade.gov.
A PowerPoint presentation includes a general overview of how the program works.
Announcement of the 2020 MDCP competition will be published February 27, 2020. Applications will be due April 27, 2020. Interested parties should not wait for the announcement publication to begin preparing an application. As noted in Competition Basics for 2020, potential applicants should contact ITA as soon as possible.