Opportunity Information: Apply for K NOFO 18 107
Food Diplomacy: A Recipe for Entrepreneurship is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to India) grant opportunity run through the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata. The program is designed as a practical, skills-focused exchange that uses food entrepreneurship as a platform for building cross-border business relationships, promoting best practices, and strengthening economic ties with the United States. The core idea is to bring together experienced food-sector professionals from across the region and connect them with U.S. entrepreneurs who can share real-world lessons on building and scaling food-based businesses.
The funded project centers on two linked events in Kolkata: a two-day workshop followed immediately by a one-day Cross-Cultural Food Entrepreneurship Expo. The workshop is expected to include roughly 20 to 30 participants drawn from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and East India. Participants should already be working in the food industry and have moderate to advanced experience, meaning the content should go beyond entry-level training and instead focus on actionable strategies, problem-solving, and growth-oriented decision-making. The workshop is intended to be led primarily by two to three U.S.-based speakers or entrepreneurs with substantial expertise in food businesses and entrepreneurial ventures, positioning U.S. practitioners as the main drivers of instruction, mentorship, and discussion.
After the workshop, the grantee will help stage an expo that expands the audience and creates a public-facing platform for collaboration and showcasing businesses. This one-day event is expected to feature the participating entrepreneurs and their products or services, while also incorporating additional local culinary talent from Kolkata that may not be represented among the 20 to 30 selected participants. The expo also includes an explicit promotional component for U.S. food imports, and it should include one to two sessions led by the same U.S. speakers to reinforce workshop themes and connect them to broader industry stakeholders. Overall, the expo is meant to function as a networking and market-facing venue where participants, local professionals, and other stakeholders can meet, collaborate, and explore partnerships.
Program content is expected to highlight key trends and challenges in modern food entrepreneurship, with particular emphasis on how cultural diversity can drive innovation and reshape the food industry. Another major theme is adopting best practices, especially in food safety, packaging, and marketing, which are crucial areas for businesses seeking to expand to new markets, professionalize operations, or meet higher regulatory and consumer standards. In practical terms, proposals would be expected to show how the workshop and expo will deliver useful learning outcomes in these areas and translate them into tangible connections and opportunities for participants.
The long-term objective goes beyond a single event. The Consulate frames the project as a way to seed a durable, international network of entrepreneurs, innovators, and incubators in the food sector. By building skills, sharing knowledge, and facilitating partnerships, the program aims to boost prosperity in participants communities and deepen economic engagement with the United States, including stronger awareness of U.S. products and business practices. The model blends entrepreneurship support, cultural exchange, and economic diplomacy into one integrated initiative.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant with a single anticipated award. The funding opportunity number is K NOFO 18 107, and it falls under CFDA 19.040. The award ceiling is $55,000. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The opportunity was created on May 10, 2018, with an original closing date of July 9, 2018.Apply for K NOFO 18 107
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to India in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food Diplomacy: A Recipe for Entrepreneurship" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 10, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 09, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $55,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Food Diplomacy: A Recipe for Entrepreneurship" grant opportunity?
Food Diplomacy: A Recipe for Entrepreneurship is a U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission to India) discretionary grant opportunity administered through the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata. It supports a practical, skills-focused exchange that uses food entrepreneurship to build cross-border business relationships, share best practices, and strengthen economic ties with the United States.
Which U.S. government office is running this program?
The opportunity is run through the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata under the U.S. Mission to India (U.S. Department of State).
What is the main purpose of the funded project?
The project is intended to connect experienced food-sector professionals from the region with U.S. entrepreneurs who can share real-world lessons on building and scaling food-based businesses, while also promoting best practices and creating durable cross-border connections and partnerships.
What activities does the grant fund?
The funded project centers on two linked events in Kolkata: (1) a two-day workshop and (2) a one-day Cross-Cultural Food Entrepreneurship Expo held immediately after the workshop.
Where will the program activities take place?
The core activities described in the opportunity take place in Kolkata, India.
How is the project structured?
The structure is a two-day, skills-focused workshop followed immediately by a one-day expo designed to expand the audience, showcase participating entrepreneurs and their offerings, and create a public-facing platform for collaboration and networking.
Who is the workshop intended for?
The workshop is expected to include approximately 20 to 30 participants who are already working in the food industry and have moderate to advanced experience. The content is expected to go beyond entry-level training and focus on actionable strategies, problem-solving, and growth-oriented decision-making.
Which countries or regions are expected to be represented among the workshop participants?
Participants are expected to be drawn from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and East India.
How many participants are expected for the workshop?
The workshop is expected to include roughly 20 to 30 participants.
Who is expected to lead the workshop content?
The workshop is intended to be led primarily by two to three U.S.-based speakers or entrepreneurs with substantial expertise in food businesses and entrepreneurial ventures. These U.S. practitioners are positioned as the main drivers of instruction, mentorship, and discussion.
How many U.S.-based speakers are expected to be involved?
The opportunity describes an expectation of two to three U.S.-based speakers or entrepreneurs leading the workshop.
What is the Cross-Cultural Food Entrepreneurship Expo?
The expo is a one-day event held after the workshop to broaden participation and visibility. It is intended to showcase the participating entrepreneurs and their products or services, bring in additional local culinary talent from Kolkata, and create networking and partnership opportunities with a wider set of stakeholders.
Will the expo include participants beyond the 20 to 30 workshop attendees?
Yes. The expo is expected to incorporate additional local culinary talent from Kolkata that may not be represented among the selected workshop participants, expanding the audience and participation beyond the core cohort.
Does the expo include any U.S.-related promotional elements?
Yes. The expo includes an explicit promotional component for U.S. food imports.
Will U.S. speakers participate in the expo as well?
Yes. The expo is expected to include one to two sessions led by the same U.S. speakers to reinforce workshop themes and connect them to broader industry stakeholders.
What types of topics and themes should the workshop and expo content cover?
Program content is expected to highlight trends and challenges in modern food entrepreneurship, with emphasis on how cultural diversity can drive innovation and reshape the food industry. Another major theme is adopting best practices, particularly in food safety, packaging, and marketing, especially for businesses aiming to expand to new markets, professionalize operations, or meet higher regulatory and consumer standards.
What kinds of learning outcomes are expected?
Proposals are expected to show how the workshop and expo will deliver useful learning outcomes in areas such as food safety, packaging, and marketing, and how these outcomes will translate into tangible connections and opportunities for participants.
Is the goal limited to the events in Kolkata?
No. The long-term objective is to seed a durable international network of entrepreneurs, innovators, and incubators in the food sector, strengthening partnerships, boosting prosperity in participants' communities, and deepening economic engagement with the United States.
How does this program relate to U.S. economic engagement?
The program is framed as an initiative to deepen economic engagement with the United States by strengthening awareness of U.S. products and business practices, facilitating partnerships, and supporting the growth of food-sector entrepreneurs in the region.
What type of grant is this?
This is described as a discretionary grant.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The opportunity states there is a single anticipated award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $55,000.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is K NOFO 18 107.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 19.040.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
When was the opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on May 10, 2018, and had an original closing date of July 9, 2018.
What makes this program "skills-focused" rather than introductory?
The participant profile is described as moderate to advanced food-industry professionals, and the content is expected to concentrate on actionable strategies, problem-solving, and growth-oriented decision-making rather than entry-level training.
How is cultural exchange incorporated into the project design?
The program integrates cross-cultural engagement by bringing together entrepreneurs from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and East India with U.S.-based entrepreneurs, using cultural diversity as a key lens for innovation and industry advancement.
What role does networking play in the program?
Networking is central to the design: the workshop supports relationship-building and mentorship, while the expo is intended as a market-facing venue for entrepreneurs, local professionals, and stakeholders to meet, collaborate, and explore partnerships.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos
Previous opportunity: Short-Term Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for K NOFO 18 107
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (K NOFO 18 107) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Chattahoochee River NRA Youth Internships FY-2018 Apply for P18AS00215 Funding Number: P18AS00215 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $51,620 |
| Rehabilitation of Meriwether Lewis Trails and Highland Rim Section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail Apply for P18AC00499 Funding Number: P18AC00499 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $140,265 |
| Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program Apply for ED GRANTS 051118 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 051118 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Clearing of Overlooks and Trail Maintenance Apply for P18AS00209 Funding Number: P18AS00209 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $27,600 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Centers for International Business Education Program CFDA Number 84.220A Apply for ED GRANTS 051418 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 051418 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| USAID/Afghanistan Support for Higher Education Apply for RFI 306 18 00001 Funding Number: RFI 306 18 00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Afghanistan USAID-Kabul Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Strengthening U.S.-India Relations through Jazz Apply for ND NOFO 18 116 Funding Number: ND NOFO 18 116 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety: Cooperative Agreement CFDA Number 84.424B Apply for ED GRANTS 051618 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 051618 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program CFDA Number 84.021A Apply for ED GRANTS 051618 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 051618 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship Program CFDA Number 84.022A Apply for ED GRANTS 051618 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 051618 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Troops to Teachers Apply for H98210 BAA 18 0002 Funding Number: H98210 BAA 18 0002 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Education Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Intellectual Property Rights Workshop for Practitioners in East India Apply for K NOFO 18 108 Funding Number: K NOFO 18 108 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $28,000 |
| Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE): Pathways to STEM Apprenticeship for High School Career and Technical Education Students Demonstration Program CFDA Number 84.051E Apply for ED GRANTS 051818 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 051818 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Interpretation Park Guide Interns Apply for NOI NPS 18 MACA 0001 Funding Number: NOI NPS 18 MACA 0001 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $46,096 |
| English Access Microscholarship Program for Kirkuk and Tikrit Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2018 006 Funding Number: DOS BAGHDAD PD 2018 006 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq Category: Education Funding Amount: $193,000 |
| Professional English Language Training for journalists in Kazakhstan Apply for DOS KAZ AST AEECA 18 003 Funding Number: DOS KAZ AST AEECA 18 003 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan Category: Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| English Access Microscholarship Program for Mosul and the Niniwa Plain Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2018 007 Funding Number: DOS BAGHDAD PD 2018 007 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq Category: Education Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Language Resource Centers Program CFDA Number 84.229A Apply for ED GRANTS 052418 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 052418 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE):National Resource Centers Program CFDA Number 84.015A Apply for ED GRANTS 052518 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 052518 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program CFDA Number 84.015B Apply for ED GRANTS 052518 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 052518 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "K NOFO 18 107", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.