; (7) ameliorates barriers to entry to organic product certification for historically underserved entities; (8) supports market and promotional activities that help build commercial markets for certified organic products in the United States; and (9) provides technical assistance and outreach to program stakeholders and participants. (c) Grants For each fiscal year for which amounts are made available to carry out this section under subsection (k), the Secretary shall provide grants to support eligible entities in conducting activities in accordance with the purposes of the program described in subsection (b). (d) Applications (1) In general To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Simplified process The Secretary shall implement a simplified application and award process under this section for use by any eligible entity seeking to carry out an equipment-only project. (3) Benefits (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an application submitted under this subsection shall include a description of the direct or indirect producer or food business benefits intended by the eligible entity to result from the proposed project within a reasonable period of time after the receipt of a grant under this section. (B) Exception Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any feasibility study or market viability assessment conducted pursuant to this section. (4) Criteria The Secretary shall establish such criteria for the evaluation and funding of proposed projects under this section as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (5) Competitive process The Secretary— (A) shall conduct a competitive process to select applications submitted under this subsection; (B) may assess and rank applications with similar purposes as a group