Firm Exports to China, Receives Award
Evapco, a Maryland-based firm that makes heat transfer and related equipment for large industrial cooling systems and other applications, received an export achievement award from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. Gary Rugel, Evapco's Vice President International accepted the award.

Photo: Event Digital

Secretary Locke presented the award after delivering the luncheon address at the annual conference of the International District Energy Association (IDEA) on June 30. Evapco's activity in China is part of an ongoing MDCP project that IDEA is pursuing in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.

Applications Could be Due As Early As April 5
It looks like the earliest likely opening date for the 2010 MDCP competition is February 10 or 11. Applications will probably be due on or about April 5 this year. If you have any interest in pursuing a project, email the relevant industry specialist and your local ITA office right away. In order to receive an award, it is critical to demonstrate your suitability as a partner with ITA. So, it is important to communicate with the ITA Manufacturing and Services industry specialist(s) and your local ITA Commercial Service office. See "How to Apply" below for additional information.

What A February 10 or 11 Publication Date Would Mean
As soon as a federal funding opportunity notice (FFO) appears on Grants.gov it is considered to be published. A short notice announcing the FFO is also published in the Federal Register. The publication date is significant because is marks the beginning of the competition period that ends the day that applications are due. With regard to MDCP application ideas, during this period, ITA officials are not allowed to make suggestions, brainstorm, or serve as a sounding board. We should know more precisely about the publication date a couple of days before hand. As soon as we have such information, we'll put an update on the webpage and send an email to everyone who has requested to receive MDCP emails.

Possible Increase in Federal Funding Limit from $400,000 to $500,000
Since 1994 the maximum amount allowed for an MDCP award has not exceeded $400,000. There is a good chance that in the next few weeks Congress will consider legislation that raises the limit to $500,000. Accordingly, applicants who are contemplating projects with a total project budget (federal funds plus cash and in-kind match) exceeding $1.2 million, should consider requesting more than $400,000 up to a possible limit of $500,000. Projects with budgets less than $1.2 million should not be affected by any increase in award limit. As soon as we know more about whether or not the limit will be raised, we will update this website.

Chances of Winning Have Been Improving
Historically, there is a one-in-seven chance of receiving an MDCP award. In the most recent competition, the odds improved to a little less than six-to-one. Based on application trends and the budget outlook for 2010, the likelihood of winning might be even better in 2010. If your organization has been wondering whether or not to pursue an MDCP project, now is the time!

Five New MDCP Awards Were Announced in October
On October 26, 2009, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke announced five new MDCP awards. See Secretary Locke's press release for a list of the winners. ITA considered 29 proposals for MDCP funding during the 2009 competition. Several were worthy of receiving an MDCP award; however, due to limited funding availability during 2009, ITA could make only five awards. There is a good chance that ITA will be able to make more than five awards in 2010.

Other MDCP Information

How to Know if You Are On Our Email Contact List
If you received a reminder email regarding our January 20, 21, or 28 conference calls, 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. Lin Gao at Lin.Gao@trade.gov.

Familiarity with ITA Will Help You Succeed
In order to prepare a good application, it is important to demonstrate knowledge of what International Trade Administration resources are available. To find out more about ITA, click on the links in the "Related Links" box.

Online Discussion Group
Potential applicants and others interested in MDCP can stay in touch with each other via a new list serve. The group may be found on Google Groups. Use "MDCP" as your search term. Once you sign up or log in to Google Groups and find the MDCP group, follow the instructions to request to become a member of this group. The group is not an official federal government website. Parties interested in MDCP use this group to communicate and share information with others interested in MDCP.

Review this website. Determine whether your organization is eligible. Contact us. Then contact your local ITA office and the relevant industry specialist.

Determine Whether You Are Eligible

Review a Mock Application and an Example Application

Frequently Asked Questions

MDCP is designed for applicants such as 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.