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.
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Rural Development |
see website |
National |
Link |
Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program |
USDA |
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Deadline passed. Modt recent deadline: June 6, 2022. The Rural Cooperative Development Grant program helps improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping non-profit corporations or higher education institutions in the startup, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through cooperative development.
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Rural Development, Economic development, Business Development, Community Development, management, infrastructure, local economy, |
Maximum Grant Amount up to $200,000 |
National |
Link |
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Water for Agriculture Challenge Area |
USDA |
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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.
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Water Resources, Drought, Flooding, Water Quality, Agriculture |
varies, total program funding $10,700,000 |
National |
Link |
High Energy Cost Grants (USDA) |
USDA |
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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?"
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Energy conservation, Infrastructure, Community development |
$100,000-$3,000,000 |
National |
Link |
USDA Community Connect Grants |
USDA |
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Deadline passed. The next application window expected to open early 2023. The Community Connect program serves rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for citizens. The projects funded by these grants will help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet.
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Development, Internet |
varies |
National, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Alaska |
Link |
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for FY22 (Alaska) |
USDA |
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Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 11, 2022. This funding seeks to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from eligible entities for projects carried out in the state of Alaska. A total of up to $415,000 is available for the Alaska (State) CIG competition in FY 2022. Learn more and apply here.
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Conservation, innovation, Alaska, technology |
$5,000 - 415,000 |
Alaska |
Link |
Water & Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted year round. This program assists low-income communities with initial planning and development of applications for USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal direct loan/grant and loan guarantee programs. The area must also have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80 percent of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income
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water, waste disposal, planning, development, infrastructure, rural communities |
Maximum of $30,000 or 75 percent of the predevelopment planning costs. |
Rural Areas, Tribal Lands |
Link |
USDA Local Foods, Local Places Program (Obama Admin Archives) |
USDA |
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Grant deadline unknown for 2016. Communities are invited to apply for assistance from Local Foods, Local Places, a new program supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to help create more livable places by promoting local foods. Priorities given to communities within Appalachia and surrounding regions, see application for more details.
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public health, Agriculture, food justice, sustainability, human health, disease, local, economy |
Varies |
Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest |
Link |
Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted continuously. Provides grants to qualified organizations to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects. Grant recipients supervise groups of very-low- and low-income individuals and families as they construct their own homes in rural areas. The group members provide most of the construction labor on each other’s homes, with technical assistance from the organization overseeing the project. Funds may be used to:
- Give technical and supervisory assistance to participating families
- Help other organizations provide self-help technical and supervisory assistance
- Recruit families, help them complete loan applications and carry out other related activities that enable them to participate
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housing, rural areas, low-income communities, technical assistance |
varies |
Rural Areas |
Link |
REAP Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Program |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
Rolling Deadlines. REAP Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Program.Refer to Application Package AND Application Instruction links to obtain all necessary forms for a complete application
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Renewable energy, Infrastructure, Development, IRA |
Varies |
Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska |
Link |
FY 2019 Farm to School Grant |
USDA |
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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
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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.
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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 |
Intermediary Relending Program |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted year round. This program provides 1 percent low-interest loans to local intermediaries that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities.
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rural communities, local economy, jobs, development |
$250,000; or 75 % of the total cost of the ultimate recipient's project for which the loan is being made, whichever is less. |
Rural Areas |
Link |
Crop Protection and Pest Management Competitive Grants Program |
USDA |
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Application Deadline April 16, 2019. The purpose of the Crop Protection and Pest Management program is to address high priority issues related to pests and their management using IPM approaches at the state, regional and national levels. The CPPM program supports projects that will ensure food security and respond effectively to other major societal pest management challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches that are economically viable, ecologically prudent, and safe for human health. The CPPM program addresses IPM challenges for emerging issues and existing priority pest concerns that can be addressed more effectively with new and emerging technologies. The outcomes of the CPPM program are effective, affordable, and environmentally sound IPM practices and strategies needed to maintain agricultural productivity and healthy communities.
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pest, food security, human health, agriculture |
$200,000- $325,000 |
U.S |
Link |
USDA Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants |
USDA |
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The USDA Rural Business Cooperative-Service Agency is accepting applications for Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance grants to establish programs to assist agricultural producers and rural small businesses with evaluating energy efficiency and the potential to incorporate renewable energy technologies into their operations.
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Renewable energy, Agriculture, small businesses |
Unspecified |
National |
Link |
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program |
USDA |
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Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: April 3, 2023. This program assists in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies for the development of Advanced Biofuels, Renewable Chemicals, and Biobased Product Manufacturing by providing loan guarantees for up to $250 million.
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biofuels, renewable chemicals, biobased products, renewable energy, manufacturing, development |
Varies |
National |
Link |
Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant |
USDA |
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Deadline passed. Most recent deadline: May 23, 2022. The Agency will make grants to public bodies and private nonprofit corporations, (such as States, counties, cities, townships, and incorporated towns and villages, boroughs, authorities, districts, and Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations) to provide associations Technical Assistance and/or training with respect to essential community facilities programs. The Technical Assistance and/or training will assist communities, Indian Tribes, and Nonprofit Corporations to identify and plan for community facility needs that exist in their area. Once those needs have been identified, the Grantee can assist in identifying public and private resources to finance those identified community facility needs.
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community facilities, infrastructure, planning, training, technical assistance |
up to $150,000 |
National |
Link |
USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Help Socially-Disadvantaged Producers |
USDA |
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Funding will be made available through USDA's Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program (formerly the Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program), which assists organizations that provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance are conducting feasibility studies, developing business and strategic plans, and providing leadership training.
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Agriculture, technical assistance, Business Development |
The maximum award under this notice is $175,000. |
National |
Link |
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
Applications are accepted year round. Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:
- Provide microloans to help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund
- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs
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business development, rural areas, microenterprise |
Up to $50,000 |
Rural Areas |
Link |
Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) |
USDA |
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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.
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women, minorities, STEM, rural, food security, sustainability, agriculture, natural resources, education, economic health |
Up to $400,000 |
National |
Link |
Business and Industry Loan Guarantees |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
Rolling Deadline. This program bolsters the availability of private credit by guaranteeing loans for rural businesses.
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Rural areas, business development, credit, local economy |
Up to $25 million |
Rural Areas |
Link |
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (2501 Program) |
USDA |
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Deadline passed as of July 29, 2016. Deadline for 2017 unknown. The 2501 Program provides funding to eligible organizations for training and technical assistance projects designed to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating viable agricultural enterprises. The 2501 Program extends USDA's capacity to work with members of farming and ranching communities by funding projects that enhance the equitable participation of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in USDA programs. It is OAO's (Office of Advocacy and Outreach) intention to build lasting relationships between USDA, awardee organizations, and socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
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agricultural, food security, veterans, ranching, environmental justice, technical assistance, business, |
Award amounts vary; total program funds $8.4 million. |
National, Rural |
Link |
Multi-Family Housing Direct Loans |
USDA |
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Applications accepted year round. This program provides competitive financing for affordable multi-family rental housing for low-income, elderly, or disabled individuals and families in eligible rural areas. This program assists qualified applicants that cannot obtain commercial credit on terms that will allow them to charge rents that are affordable to low-income tenants.
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housing, rural communities, multi-family housing, improvement, development |
varies |
Rural Areas |
Link |
Oregon Environmental Quality Incentives Program |
USDA |
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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.
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agriculture, conservation planning, natural resources |
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Oregon |
Link |
Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
This program accepts applications on a continuous basis. The program works with qualified private-sector lenders to provide financing to qualified borrowers to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in eligible rural areas and towns. Construction, improvement and purchase of multi-family rental housing for low to moderate income families and individuals is the primary objective for this program. Funding may also be available for:
- Buying and improving land
- Providing necessary infrastructure
- For a complete list see Code of Federal Regulations, 7CFR Part 3565.205
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housing, rural communities, development, infrastructure |
varies |
Rural Areas |
Link |
Community Connect Grant |
USDA |
06/23/2023 |
The Community Connect provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically-challenged communities where service does not exist.
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development, economy, rural communities, |
Unknown |
National |
Link |
USDA Housing Preservation Grants |
USDA |
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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.
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Infrastructure, public health, rural housing |
Varies |
Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, National, Alaska, Midwest |
Link |
Washington Environmental Quality Incentives Program |
USDA |
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Deadline Passed as of 3/16/2018. Deadline Unknown for 2019. EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers in order to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitat. 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.
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natural resources, agriculture, water and air quality, conservation, |
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Washington |
Link |
Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
Rolling Deadline. This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
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housing, infrastructure, facilities, rural |
Grants and Loans available. Award amount varies. |
United States |
Link |
Rural Housing Site Loans |
USDA |
12/31/2023 |
Applications accepted year round. Rural Housing site loans provide two types of loans to purchase and develop housing sites for low- and moderate-income families:
- Section 523 loans are used to acquire and develop sites only for housing to be constructed by the Self-Help method. Refer to RD Instruction 1944-I for more information about the Self-Help program
- Section 524 loans are made to acquire and develop sites for low- or moderate-income families, with no restriction as to the method of construction. Low-income is defined as between 50-80% of the area median income (AMI); the upper limit for moderate income is $5,500 above the low-income limit
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housing, rural communities, development |
Varies |
Rural Areas |
Link |