Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities 7/22/2020

Funding Opportunities

Rural Infrastructure

Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program
USDA is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding under USDA B&I CARES Act Program provisions included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Webinar for Lenders and Webinar for Businesses and Producers. Application Deadline: September 15, 2021, or until funds are expended.

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements (REAP)
USDA Rural Development funds to support agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Application Deadline: Open

FY 2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
The Economic Development Administration is providing resources to economically distressed communities and regions to help finance construction, non-construction, planning, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Mobility on Demand Projects
Community Transportation Association of America is providing competitive grants to weave together inclusive transportation planning, development, and implementation with grassroots-driven mobility on demand solutions. Application Deadline: July 31, 2020

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP)
USDA Rural Development program intends to increase significantly the sale and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. Application Deadline: August 13, 2020

FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
The Federal Communications Commission is providing funding to bring high-speed, fixed broadband service to rural homes and small businesses that lack access. Application Deadline: October 22, 2020

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources Related to Rural Infrastructure:

• COVID-19 Rural Telehealth Factsheet
• Federal Communications Commission COVID-19 Telehealth Program
• Economic Development Administration CARES Act Recovery Assistance
• Department of Transportation Coronavirus COVID-19 Response
• National Institute of Standards and Technology COVID-19 Resources

Economic Development

Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program
USDA Rural Development is making grants available to help start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses in rural America. Application Deadline: August 3, 2020  

Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant Program
USDA Rural Development is making $3 million in grants available to help socially disadvantaged groups develop business and strategic plans in rural areas. Application Deadline: August 10, 2020

Delta Health Care Service Grant Program
USDA Rural Development grant funds for the development of healthcare services, health education programs, healthcare job training programs, or the development and expansion of public health-related facilities in the Delta Region. Application Deadline: August 24, 2020

Centers of Community Prosperity
USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) offers funding to leverage partnering entities to assist persistent poverty communities with socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers to improve, restore and maintain natural resources and growth in their communities focusing on fostering hope, opportunity, asset building and wealth creation. Application Deadline: August 24, 2020

Senior Corps Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Corporation for National and Community Service program funding which engages people ages 55 and over in a diverse range of volunteer activities that serve communities to create measurable impact, benefit volunteers through the service experience and create community capacity. Application Deadline: September 1, 2020 

Strengthening Community Colleges
U.S. Department of Labor program designed to build capacity in community colleges by collaborating with employers and the public workforce to meet labor market demands by increasing capacity, developing skills and mitigating challenges associated with the COVID-19 that necessitate social distancing practices and expanding online learning. Application Deadline: October 8, 2020

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources to Support Rural Economic Development:

• USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
• Minority Business Development Centers and Chambers of Commerce COVID-19 Support
• Appalachian Regional Commission Coronavirus Resources
• Small Business Administration Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources
• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance: Ag Businesses
• SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program
• NOAA CARES Act Funding for Assistance to Fisheries

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities, July 7, 2020

Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities 6/23/2020

Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities 6/9/2020

Funding Opportunities

Rural Infrastructure

Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects
USDA Rural Development helps qualified nonprofits create a revolving loan fund that can provide financing to extend and improve water and waste disposal systems in rural areas. Application Deadline: June 12, 2020

HRSA Telehealth Network Grant Program
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides grants to promote rural tele-emergency services with an emphasis on tele-stroke, tele-behavioral health, and Tele-Emergency Medical Services. Application Deadline: June 15, 2020

Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD)
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for projects that support regional economic and community development planning. Funding is authorized through a Farm Bill provision for applications submitted through Community Facilities Loans, Grants and Loan Guarantees, Water and Waste Disposal Program Loans, Grants and Loan Guarantees, and Business & Industry Program Loan Guarantees. Specific requirements and application deadlines apply. Funds must be obligated by June 30, 2020

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program
USDA Rural Development is making grants available to help rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Application Deadline: July 13, 2020 via Grants.gov

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
The Federal Communications Commission provides funding to bring high-speed, fixed broadband service to rural homes and small businesses that lack access. Application Deadline: October 22, 2020

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources Related to Rural Infrastructure:

• COVID-19 Rural Telehealth Factsheet
• USDA Programs in the Local Food Supply Chain Fact Sheet
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) COVID-19 Telehealth Program
• EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance

Economic Development

Fiscal Year 2020 Capital Magnet Fund Program
U.S. Department of the Treasury, Community Development Financial Institutions is making funds available to help certified CDFIs and nonprofits develop, rehabilitate or purchase affordable housing and economic development activities. Application Deadline: June 26, 2020 via Grants.gov

Community Economic Development Projects
The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services is making grants available for Community Development Corporations to support projects that will enhance job creation and business development for low-income individuals. Application Deadline: July 03, 2020

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Planning
The Health Resources and Services Administration is making funds available to help rural communities enhance their capacity to address substance use disorder though planning activities, multi-sector consortiums and participate in the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Planning learning collaborative. Application Deadline: July 13, 2020

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Labor is financing projects to help rural communities align workforce development efforts with economic development plans. This program serves the Appalachian region and the Lower Mississippi Delta region. Application Deadline: July 29, 2020

OUR TOWN
The National Endowment for the Arts’ creative placemaking grants program supports projects that integrate arts, culture and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical and/or social outcomes. Application Deadline: August 6, 2020

FY 2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
The Economic Development Administration provides economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs, including construction, non-construction, planning, technical assistance and revolving loan fund projects. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Quick Links to COVID-19 Resources to Support Rural Economic Development:

• Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
• Appalachian Regional Commission Coronavirus Resources
• US Health & Human Services COVID-19 Workforce Toolkit
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
• SBA & Treasury CDFI Set-Aside: Paycheck Protection Program
• U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
• National Park Service Public Health Updates​
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Public Health Updates