USDA sets Bangladesh, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand as priority countries for global food assistance programs in 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service has announced its priority countries for fiscal year 2026 under two of its flagship international food assistance programs, signaling potential funding of up to $466 million in new cooperative agreements.

Under the Food for Progress program, the agency expects to allocate up to $226 million for projects lasting up to five years, with individual awards ranging between $28 million and $35 million. Priority countries identified for the program include Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, Morocco, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The initiative focuses on improving agricultural productivity and expanding trade capacity in developing economies.

Separately, the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program is expected to award up to $240 million in five-year cooperative agreements, with project funding ranging from $10 million to $35 million. Priority countries for this program include Bolivia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Guinea (Conakry), Honduras, Liberia, and Timor-Leste. The program aims to support school feeding and child nutrition while promoting literacy and education outcomes.

The USDA said Notices of Funding Opportunity for both programs will be published on Grants.gov, outlining application details for prospective partners.