| Title |
Organization |
Grant Deadline | Description | Category | Funding Amount | Geography | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 19, 2022. The USDA has opened up grant applications to the RISE program, which seeks to increase equity in rural America by offering grants of up to $2 million to consortiums of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities that create projects in distressed communities. Communities that have traditionally had high concentrations of employment in fossil fueled energy production and are transitioning away from this are encouraged to apply. Learn more and apply here. |
Job creation, business development, rural areas, worker training, local economies | Grant amounts are awarded competitively with a minimum of $500,000 and a maximum grant amount of $2,000,000. | National | Link | |
| Household Water Well System Grants | USDA |
Deadline Passed July 31, 2022. This program helps qualified non-profits and Tribes create a revolving loan fund (RLF) to extend access to clean, reliable water to households in eligible rural areas. |
Food/Water Security, Water Systems Development, Community Development, Infrastructure Development. | Unknown. | National. Rural areas and towns with 50, 000 or fewer people - check eligible addresses. Tribal Lands in rural areas. Colonias | Link | |
| National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: 9/9/2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the availability of up to $17 million in funds in the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) to support projects in topic areas including, but not limited to: Develop, enhance, and exercise state and Tribal animal disease outbreak emergency response plans; Support livestock and poultry biosecurity; enhance animal disease traceability for a disease outbreak; Support outreach and education on animal disease prevention, preparedness, and response topics. Learn more and apply here. |
Agriculture, livestock disease preparedness, education | Varies. | National | Link | |
| Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership | USDA |
Deadline passed as of May 24, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The 2014 Farm Bill replaced the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program with the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership as an enrollment option under ACEP – WRE. WREP continues to be a voluntary program through which NRCS signs agreements with eligible partners to leverage resources to carry out high priority wetland protection, restoration and enhancement and to improve wildlife habitat. |
land, easement, property, restoration, habitat, management, conservation, climate change, wetland, riparian, estuary, swamp, marsh, pond | Varies. | National | Link | |
| Rural Energy Pilot Program (REPP) | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 19, 2022. USDA has opened up grant applications for communities to further develop renewable energy through REPP. Funds can be used to support community energy planning, community efficiency and weatherization, installing and equipping community scale renewable energy. Learn more and apply here. |
Renewable energy, rural areas, efficiency, weatherization, community development | Awards to successful applicants will be in the form of cost-share grants for up to 80 percent of total eligible project costs, not to exceed $2 million. | National | Link | |
| Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit & Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants | USDA | 03/31/2023 |
Deadline: March 31, 2023. Provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. This program helps increase American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower the cost of energy for small businesses and agricultural producers. |
rural development, infrastructure, renewable energy, sustainable | Unrestricted Grants (up to $500,000) | National | Link |
| Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted year-round. To advance projects which support long-term community and economic growth strategies that reflect both multi-jurisdictional stakeholder collaboration and capitalize upon the unique strengths of the rural area. Through this provision, USDA Rural Development is empowered to work further with rural communities to align resources with long-range and multi-jurisdictional challenges and needs by leveraging federal, state, local, or private funding. Applicants to any of several existing Rural Development programs whose projects support the implementation of multi-jurisdictional strategic economic and community development plans may apply for priority consideration through SECD. Consideration will be based on: (1) How well the project supports a multijurisdictional plan and (2) How well the plan addresses collaboration, regionalism, and investments from other federal and philanthropic agencies. Interested participants are encouraged to have their plans reviewed by their State's staff early in the process for feedback and possible modification prior to submitting with the formal application. |
Rural Development | see website | National | Link |
| High Energy Cost Grants (USDA) | USDA |
Deadline passed. Latest deadline: July 6, 2021. The USDA Rural Development High Energy Costs Grant assists energy providers and other eligible entities in lowering energy costs for families and individuals in areas with extremely high per-household energy costs (275 percent of the national average or higher.) The funds may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of facilities serving eligible communities. NOTE: Program details may change over time. Before you begin an application, please confirm you have the most current information by emailing Rural Electric Program staff or consulting the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Governs this Program?" |
Energy conservation, Infrastructure, Community development | $100,000-$3,000,000 | National | Link | |
| Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities: First Funding Pool | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 8, 2022. Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities pilot projects must focus on the on-farm, on-ranch or forest production of climate-smart commodities and associated reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and/or carbon sequestration. Proposals from $5 million to $100 million are in the first funding pool and should include large-scale pilot projects that emphasize the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production and include direct, meaningful benefits to a representative cross-section of production agriculture, including small and/or historically underserved producers. Learn more and apply here. |
Rural communities, agriculture, forestry, farmers, ranchers, emissions reduction, climate solutions, resilience | $5 million to $100 million | National | Link | |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Water for Agriculture Challenge Area | USDA |
Deadline passed as of August 4, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. This AFRI Challenge Area addresses critical water resources issues such as drought, excess soil moisture, flooding, quality and others in an agricultural context. Funding will be used to develop management practices, technologies, and tools for farmers, ranchers, forest owners and managers, public decision makers, public and private managers, and citizens to improve water resource quantity and quality. The long-term goal of the AFRI Water for Agriculture Challenge Area is to tackle critical water issues by developing both regional systems for the sustainable use and reuse, flow and management of water, and at the watershed and farm scales, water issues focused on production and environmental sustainability efforts. Project types supported within this Challenge area are multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects and Food and Agricultural Enhancement (FASE) Grants. |
Water Resources, Drought, Flooding, Water Quality, Agriculture | varies, total program funding $10,700,000 | National | Link | |
| Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities: Second Funding Pool. | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: June 10, 2022. Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities pilot projects must focus on the on-farm, on-ranch or forest production of climate-smart commodities and associated reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and/or carbon sequestration. Proposals from $250,000 to $4,999,999 are in the second funding pool and are limited to particularly innovative pilot projects. These projects should place an emphasis on: enrollment of small and/or underserved producers; and/or monitoring, reporting and verification activities developed at minority-serving institutions. Learn more and apply here. |
Rural communities, innovation, underserved communities, agriculture, forestry, farmers, ranchers, emissions reduction, climate solutions, resilience | $250,000 - $4,999,999 | National | Link | |
| Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted continuously. Meant to fund water and waste disposal systems in rural Alaskan Villages. Funds must be used for development and construction of water and wastewater systems to correct dire health and sanitation conditions in those villages. Many communities in remote rural Alaska, where villages are accessible by plane or boat only, are essentially inaccessible during the long, hard winters. They lag far behind the lower 48 States in having safe and dependable drinking water and suitable waste disposal systems available. Construction costs are extremely high. This is due in part to the severe weather conditions, which makes laying pipe difficult, if not impossible. These conditions also require the use of insulated pipe, or in areas of permafrost, above ground utilidors, often with heat traced insulated pipe. The vast distances from the transportation hub of Anchorage to a village increases costs substantially as the material must be delivered by barge or air. |
Adaptation, Emergency Management, Water, Health, Natural Resources | The maximum grant is 75 percent of the project cost. | Alaska, Coastal | Link |
| AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities | USDA |
Last deadline: January 19, 2023. The AgrAbility program increases the likelihood that farmers, ranchers, farm workers and farm family members with disabilities will experience success in agricultural production. The program supports projects between State Cooperative Extension System and private, non-profit disability organizations who work in partnership to provide agricultural education and assistance directed at accommodating disability in farm operations for individuals with disabilities, and their families, who engage in farming and farm-related occupations. |
agriculture, equity, inclusion, social justice, disability services | $150,000 - $180,000 | National | Link | |
| Risk Management Education Partnership Program | USDA | 04/24/2023 |
Deadline: April 24, 2023. The purpose of this cooperative agreement program is to deliver crop insurance education and risk management training to U.S. agricultural producers to assist them in identifying and managing production, marketing, legal, financial, and human risk. |
climate change, human health, sustainability, agriculture, economy, management, planning, policy | $5,000 - $300,000 | National | Link |
| New Beginning for Tribal Students Program | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: March 30, 2022. New Beginning for Tribal Students makes competitive grants to land-grant colleges and universities to provide identifiable support specifically targeted for tribal students. A land-grant college or university that receives this grant shall use funds for, but not limited to, recruiting; tuition and related fees; experiential learning; student services, including tutoring; counseling; academic advising; and other student services that would increase the retention and graduation rate of tribal students enrolled at the land-grant college or university. Learn more and apply here. |
Tribal students, higher education, experiential learning, academic success | Up to $500,000 | National | Link | |
| Individual Water & Wastewater Grants | USDA |
Applications accepted continuously. The purpose of this grant is to provide water and waste disposal facilities and services to low income rural communities whose residents face significant health risks. Every effort is made to identify and fund the neediest projects. This program is only eligible in states with Colonias, and those are Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. |
Adaptation, Water, Health, Natural Resources | Generally, applicants are expected to borrow as much as they can afford to repay, as in the regular loan program. However, water and waste disposal systems can obtain up to 100 percent grants to construct basic drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste disposal and storm drainage to serve the residents. | Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas | Link | |
| Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) | USDA |
Deadline Passed 2/24/2020. Deadline Unknown for 2021. The purpose of this program is to support research, education/teaching, and extension projects that increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in STEM. NIFA intends this program to address educational needs within broadly defined areas of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. WAMS-funded projects improve the economic health and viability of rural communities by developing research and extension initiatives that focus on new and emerging employment opportunities in STEM occupations. |
women, minorities, STEM, rural, food security, sustainability, agriculture, natural resources, education, economic health | Up to $400,000 | National | Link | |
| Alaska Native-Service and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program | USDA | 03/28/2023 |
Deadline: March 28, 2023. The purpose of this program is to promote and strengthen the ability of Alaska Native-Serving Institutions and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs in food and agricultural sciences-related disciplines. Priority will be given to those projects that enhance educational equity for underrepresented students; strengthen institutional educational capacities; prepare students for careers related to the food, agricultural, and natural resource systems of the United States; and maximize the development and use of resources to improve food and agricultural sciences teaching programs. Learn more here. |
Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, agricultural sciences, career development, equity, youth | $150,000 - 1,000,000 | Alaska, Hawaii | Link |
| Emergency Watershed Protection Program | USDA |
Applications accepted continuously. The Emergency Watershed Protection Program responds to emergencies created by natural disasters. The program is designed to help people and conserve natural resources by relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural occurrences. All projects undertaken, with the exception of the purchase of floodplain easements, must have a project sponsor. |
Water, Natural Resources, Adaptation, Disaster, Emergency Management, Health | Varies | Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska | Link | |
| FY 2019 Farm to School Grant | USDA |
Deadline Passed 12/04/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) established aFarm to School program in order to assist eligible entities, (schools, school districts, agricultural producers, Indian tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, state agencies and local agencies), through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm toschool programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools |
Health, food security, local economy, agriculture, school health, public | $20,000-$100,000 | United States | Link | |
| Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Rolling Deadline. The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility is responsible for repayment to USDA. |
Economic Development, Rural Development, Grants and Loans | Up to $300,000 in grants may be requested to establish the RLF Up to 10 percent of grant funds may be applied toward operating expenses over the life of the RLF Up to $2 million in loans may be requested | National | Link |
| Local Food Purchase Assistance Program | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 5, 2022. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will establish cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments for the purpose of supporting local, regional, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers through food purchasing under the Build Back Better Initiative. These cooperative agreements will allow for entities to procure local, domestic foods that are unique to their geographic area and meet the needs of the populations. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds are expected to help build and expand economic opportunity for local and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers. Learn more and apply here. |
Food assistance, economic opportunity, food storage, food distribution | National | Link | ||
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program | USDA |
Deadline passed as of June 28, 2017. Deadline for 2018 unknown. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area RFA focuses on the societal challenge to adapt agroecosystems and natural resource systems to climate variability and change and implement mitigation strategies in those systems. In the Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Challenge Area RFA, specific program areas are designed to achieve the long-term outcome of reducing the use of energy, nitrogen, reducing GHG emissions from practices, and water in the production of food, feed, fiber, and fuel; reduce GHG emissions from these agroecosystems; and increase carbon sequestration. Project types supported by AFRI within this RFA include multi-function integrated research, education, and/or extension projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. |
Education, Natural Resources, Research, Adaptation, Mitigation, Land, Health, Energy, Water | Varies | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| USDA Housing Preservation Grants | USDA |
Deadline Passed. Latest Deadline: July 11, 2022. The USDA is seeking applications for grants to preserve and repair housing for very-low- and low-income families living in rural areas. The funds are being made available through USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grant program. USDA does not provide funding directly to homeowners under this program. |
Infrastructure, public health, rural housing | Varies | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program | USDA |
Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 8, 2022. The Farm Business Management and Benchmarking (FBMB) Competitive Grants Program provides funds for improving the farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers by maintaining and expanding a national, publicly available farm financial management database to support improved farm management. Learn more and apply here. |
Farm business, agriculture, financial management | Up to $500,000 | National | Link | |
| Conservation Stewardship Program | USDA |
Applications accepted continuously. The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance—the higher the performance, the higher the payment. |
Stewardship, Conservation | A person or legal entity may not receive more than $200,000 during fiscal years 2014 through 2018. $150 million total program funding. | All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean and Pacific Island areas. | Link | |
| Water & Waste Disposal Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands | USDA | 12/31/2023 |
Applications are accepted year-round. This program provides low-income communities, which face significant health risks, access to safe, reliable drinking water and waste disposal facilities and services. |
low-income communities, public health, safe drinking water, waste disposal | Varies | Rural Areas, Tribal Lands | Link |
| Oregon Environmental Quality Incentives Program | USDA |
Deadline Passed as of 3/16/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to plan and implement conservation practices that improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related natural resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. Eligible program participants receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices, or activities like conservation planning, that address natural resource concerns on their land. Payments are made to participants after conservation practices and activities identified in an EQIP plan of operations are implemented. Contracts can last up to ten years in duration. |
agriculture, conservation planning, natural resources | Oregon | Link | ||
| Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) | USDA |
The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) encourages private landowners to voluntarily make their land available to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation. States and tribes approved for funding of this Farm Service Agency (FSA) program use the funds as incentives to encourage private landowners of farms, ranches, and forests to make that land available to the public for wildlife-dependent recreation. This may include hunting or fishing. The overall goal of VPA-HIP is to enhance wildlife habitat and management and to boost local economies through activities that attract wildlife enthusiasts. |
Conservation, recreation | varies | Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest | Link | |
| USDA Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans | USDA |
The USDA Rural Business Cooperative-Service Agency is accepting applications for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans to assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses with evaluating energy efficiency and the potential to incorporate renewable energy technologies into their operations. |
Renewable energy, Agriculture, small businesses | Unknown | National, agriculture & small rural business | Link |
