The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Acer Access and Development Program (Acer).

AMS will competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that support the efforts of States, tribal governments,

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and research institutions to promote the domestic maple syrup industry through activities associated with:
promotion of research and education related to maple syrup production; promotion of natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry; market promotion for maple syrup and maple-sap products; encouragement of owners and operators of privately held land containing species of trees in the genus Acer—to initiate or expand maple-sugaring activities on the land; or to voluntarily make the land available, including by lease or other means, for access by the public for maple-sugaring activities.

Eligible applicants include States, tribal governments, and research institutions.Approximately $1 million is available in total to fund applications under this solicitation.

The maximum award is $350,00 0. This announcement provides information about the eligibility criteria for applicants and projects, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for an award.