Through an annual competition, ITA selects a limited number of industry groups -- U.S. non-profit organizations, trade associations, and state departments of trade and their regional associations -- to receive Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) financial assistance awards of up to $300,000 each. MDCP award recipients pursue multiyear projects that generate exports. The program authority of the Department is set forth in 15 U.S.C. Section 4723. Applicants provide information on key contacts, project proposals, and performance reporting. ITA uses this information, more fully developed in application forms and attachments, to process the financial assistance awards and help coordinate and support project work.