The chance to double your company's international marketing budget is just around the corner: the 2006-2007 MAP Branded application becomes available June 1. Read on to learn how you can receive reimbursement for up to 50% of your eligible international marketing expenses.

What Is MAP Branded?
The Market Access Program (MAP) Branded is a reimbursement program designed to aid small to medium-sized suppliers of U.S. food and agricultural products in their international marketing efforts. Companies apply to the program on a yearly basis, beginning in June, to receive funding for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30 of the following year.

Who Is Eligible for the Program?
If your company is defined as a small business according to Small Business Administration (SBA) guidelines, has at least $100,000 in total gross sales per year, and if your products are at least 50% U.S. agricultural origin by weight, you qualify for the Branded program. Farm cooperatives, regardless of size, may also apply to the Branded program. SUSTA's Branded program is available to suppliers of a variety of products, such as fruits and vegetables, seafood, snack foods, condiments and more. Products promoted using Branded funds should be marketed under a brand name and labeled as a "Product of the USA" or "Made in the USA." More details about company and product eligibility can be found at www.susta.org/services/map.html.

What Expenses Are Reimbursable?
Branded participants may request reimbursement for a number of international marketing activities, such as advertising (print, TV or radio), label translation and printing, printed point of sale materials, small gift items, and costs associated with exhibiting at international trade shows (registration, travel for two employees, hiring translators, product shipping costs) and in-store demonstrations.

How Much Reimbursement Can a Company Receive?
Companies apply for at least $5,000 total per fiscal year, with a minimum request of $1,000 per country. Participants can receive reimbursement for marketing activities in multiple countries within the same fiscal year. First-time applicants with no export experience may request up to $25,000; those with export experience may apply for up to a $50,000 allocation. If a company is a returning Branded participant, they may request up to $250,000.

What Are the Participation Costs?
Applicants pay a nonrefundable $200 application fee, as well as a 6% administration fee based on the total allocation received.

When Should I Apply?
Because of additional funding received for the current fiscal year, SUSTA is currently accepting applications for 2005-2006. Funding for this fiscal year may be used between your approval date and the end of the fiscal year, which is September 30. Starting June 1, SUSTA will accept applications for 2006-2007 funding, which may be used between October 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007. To ensure an approval date of October 1, and for the best chance of receiving your full funding request, submit your application by the priority deadline of July 28. Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

How Do I Apply?
We want to ensure that each company's request for funding is processed in the most efficient manner possible. Ongoing improvements to our online system have caused a change from our normal online application process this year. For fiscal year 2006, SUSTA will not use the online application system used for 2004 and 2005. This year a Word document will be available online for companies to download and complete beginning June 1. Returning applicants will receive a copy of this application via email, along with a copy of their application from the previous fiscal year.

Companies must submit a Pre-Qualification Worksheet and Application Summary, along with a Country Marketing Plan for each country in which they plan to request reimbursement. If the applicant does not own the brand(s) they are promoting, they must submit a Brand Owner Permission and/or Private Label Agreement as well.

For more information about the Branded program and application process, consult the MAP Branded Participant Manual, available online at www.susta.org/downloads/branded_manual.pdf. You may also call the SUSTA office at (504) 568-5986.

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