Association Uses $500,000 Award to Target Foreign Buyers

Enhanced well beyond its original equipment state with wheels, tires, extra safety products, and performance equipment, this pick-up truck incorporates many of the products that the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) promotes. Peter Perez, ITA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, second from left, presented SEMA with a $500,000 MDCP award at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas in November.

Over 39,000 foreign buyers were on hand to do business at the show. For its MDCP project, SEMA is targeting buyers in China and the Persian Gulf. SEMA is using part of its MDCP funds to organize a Middle East Business Development Conference, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates in April 2012.

MDCP Awards: Industry Groups Can Get Up to $300,000 for Foreign Market Development Projects
Each year, ITA makes several financial assistance awards to industry groups to pursue projects that help U.S. firms export and create jobs. Find out more about getting funds to help on our About MDCP page.

Unsuccessful applicants have been notified via email
On May 25, 2012, ITA notified all applicants not selected to receive awards. Unsuccessful applicants who are are interested in applying for a 2013 MDCP award are encouraged to contact Brad.Hess@trade.gov to arrange a debriefing. The next competition should open in early January 2013 with applications due in mid- to late- February.

Announcement of 2012 MDCP Awards Likely in July
Due to an overhaul of the Grants Online system, ITA will not be able to announce new awards until July. The last time we announced winners was September 20, 2011. See the press release for a list of the winners. (Note that the limit for awards in 2011 was $500,000. The new limit is $300,000.)

Weren't Ready to Apply this Year? Plan for Next Year
If your industry group missed this year's deadline, plan to apply next year. The 2013 announcement will probably be published in early January 2013. It should be similar to the announcement of the 2012 competition. If you are not already familiar with the program, start with our About MDCP page. The deadline for submissions will probably be in mid- to late-February 2013.

MDCP Supports the National Export Initiative
On March 9, 2010, ITA issued a press release, detailing ways in which MDCP supports the National Export Initiative. If your organization plans to apply for MDCP funding, you must envision a project that results in exports.

Exports Create Jobs
In a January 15, 2010, speech delivered in Anchorage, Then-Secretary Locke noted that every $180,000 increase in exports creates one U.S. job. Refer to the study on jobs and exports for more information.

How to Know if You Are On Our Email Contact List
If you received an email on December 30 then you are on the list. If you did not receive an email and you have not received an email since then notifying you that you are on the list, please email Ms. Latonya Milstead at Latonya.Milstead@trade.gov and request to be added to the contact list.

Who from ITA Works with MDCP Award Winners?
In addition to MDCP Director Brad Hess, MDCP award winners will work with a team of ITA professionals who can help them accomplish project goals. You can search for likely ITA team members using the directories on line 4 of Step-by-Step Application Process.

MDCP is designed for non-profits, trade associations, etc. that represent an industry. It is not designed for individual companies. For more information about eligibility for financial assistance programs other than MDCP, visit the eligibility page of grants.gov.