Opportunities

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities March 21, 2023

Funding Opportunities for Infrastructure 

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding for agriculture producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements. Contact your local State Energy Coordinator for assistance. Federal Register. Funding includes $250 million provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. Grants 3/31/2023 and Loan Guarantees are accepted year-round

Community Connect Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding to construct broadband networks in rural areas that do not currently have broadband service. Application Deadline: 6/20/2023

Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations Program supports projects that improve the resilience, reliability, safety, availability and environmental performance of energy systems in rural or remote areas with populations of no more than 10,000. Funding Opportunity Announcement. Concept papers: 4/14/2023. Full application: 6/28/2023. Additional ERA option: Energizing Rural Communities Prize Application Deadline: 5/24/2023

Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funds to finance the construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, energy conservation programs and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems. Check with a General Field Representative to determine whether the proposed service area qualifies. Application Deadline: Open

Buses and Bus Facilities Program
U.S. Department of Transportation
DOT’ Federal Transit Administration grants to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities. Application Deadline: 4/13/2023

Funding Opportunities for Community and Economic Development

USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development supports zero-interest loans and grants for current and former eligible Rural Utilities Service borrowers who then use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that create/retain jobs or support community facility projects. Stakeholder Announcement. Federal Register. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office by 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development loans and grants support Microenterprise Development Organization to establish revolving loan funds. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office by 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

Intermediary Relending Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funds to local lenders or “intermediaries” that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create new opportunities in rural communities. Stakeholder Announcement. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office by 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA program to transform overburdened and underserved communities into healthy, thriving communities capable of addressing the environmental and public health challenges they have historically faced, as well as current and future challenges. Application Deadline: 4/14/2023

The National Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Workforce Strategy
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture aims to strengthen the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce through a five-year National WIC Workforce Strategy administered as a Cooperative Agreement. Application Deadline: 4/17/2023

RBDG - Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to provide rural communities with training and technical assistance to improve passenger transportation services and facilities. Contact your nearest USDA office for more information. Application Deadline: 4/19/2023

Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas. Application Deadline: 4/20/2023

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
NEA, in partnership with the Housing Assistance Council and To Be Done Studio, funds for technical assistance to support Rural communities with placemaking. Request for Applications. Press release. Application Deadline: 4/21/2023

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides grants to help beginning farmers and ranchers enter into or improve successes in farming, ranching and forest land management. Application Deadline: 4/27/2023

FY 2023 Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service opportunity to expand conservation assistance to historically underserved producers and underserved communities. Application Deadline: 4/27/2023

Regional Food System Partnerships Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service program designed to support public-private partnerships that plan and develop relationships between local and regional producers, processors, intermediaries and institutional markets or institutional food service operations through local and regional producers and local and regional food systems. Application Deadline: 5/2/2023

Local Food Promotion Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service program supporting intermediary organizations with the development, coordination and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to help increase access to agricultural products. Priority to communities located in low income/low food access census tracts. Application Deadline: 5/2/2023

Farmers Market Promotion Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service grants for projects that assist in the development, coordination, and expansion of domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community‐supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer‐to‐consumer market opportunities. Application Deadline: 5/2/2023

Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA program supporting the design of a new pass-through program to provide grant funds via subawards to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible subrecipient groups representing underserved and disadvantaged communities. Application Deadline: 5/31/2023

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities February 16, 2023

Funding Opportunities for Infrastructure 

Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funds to finance the construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, energy conservation programs and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems. Check with a General Field Representative to determine whether the proposed service area qualifies. Application Deadline: Open

Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains provide grants to small- and medium-sized manufacturers to enable them to build new or retrofit existing manufacturing and industrial facilities to produce or recycle advanced energy products in communities where coal mines or coal power plants have closed. Application Deadline: Open

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding for agriculture producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements. Contact your local State Energy Coordinator for assistance. Federal Register. Funding includes $250 million provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. Grants 3/31/2023 and Loan Guarantees are accepted year-round

Buses and Bus Facilities Program
U.S. Department of Transportation
DOT Federal Transit Administration grants to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities. Application Deadline: 4/13/2023

Funding Opportunities for Community and Economic Development

Invest in Progress Grant Program
Boss Network
This business development program is designed to support 25 Black women entrepreneurs with grants and access to monthly mentoring by Sage. The goal of this online program is to help start and grow businesses. Application Deadline: 2/24/2023

2023 MBDA Capital Readiness Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
DOC Minority Business Development Agency program to help close the entrepreneurship gap between socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) and non-SEDI by providing technical assistance for entrepreneurs starting or scaling their businesses who are seeking various forms of capital. Application Deadline: 2/28/2023

Rural Business Development Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses that have fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. Uses include project planning/feasibility study, business incubators, land acquisition, leadership and entrepreneur training. Federal Register. Contact your state to learn about local application timelines, concept paper requirements, etc. Application Deadline: 2/28/2023

Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge
Enterprise Community Partners
Powered by the Wells Fargo Foundation, this program aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across Native, rural, suburban, and urban communities in the areas of construction, financing and access. Round 1 Application Deadline: 3/3/2023

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant to promote and strengthen the ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to carry out higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences. Application Deadline: 3/31/2023

Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA grant to assist recipients build collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders to develop solutions that will significantly address environmental and/or public health issues at the local level. Application Deadline: 4/10/2023

RBDG - Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to provide rural communities with training and technical assistance to improve passenger transportation services and facilities. Contact your nearest USDA office for more information. Application Deadline: 4/19/2023

Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas. Application Deadline: 4/20/2023

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Competitive Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funding to support projects that will increase the purchase of fruit and vegetables among low-income consumers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Application Deadline: 5/4/2023

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities January 19, 2023

Funding Opportunities for Infrastructure 

USDA Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. Fact Sheet | Federal Register | FAQs. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers loans and loan guarantees to finance the construction of electric distribution, transmission, and generation facilities, including system improvements and replacement required to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas, as well as demand side management, energy conservation programs, and on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems. Check with a General Field Representative to determine whether the proposed service area qualifies. Application Deadline: Open

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Application Deadline: Open

The Meat and Poultry Expansion Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity and to encourage competition and sustainable growth to help improve supply chain resiliency. Application Deadline: Stay tuned, Prepare Now!

Funding Opportunities Supporting Domestic Agricultural Markets, including Local and Regional Food Systems

USDA FNS Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) designed this program to improve the quality of school meals by strengthening access to nutritious food products. Application Deadline: 2/1/2023 

Rural Business Development Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses that have fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. Uses include project planning/feasibility study, business incubators, land acquisition, leadership and entrepreneur training. Federal Register. Contact your state to learn about local application timelines, concept paper requirements, etc. Application Deadline: 2/28/2023

Agriculture Innovation Center (AIC) Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offer this program to establish and operate Agriculture Innovation Centers that provide technical and business development assistance to Agricultural Producers seeking to engage in developing and marketing of Value-Added Agricultural Products. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 3/6/2023

TEFAP Reach and Resiliency 2023 Round 2
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service offers this program to reach into remote, rural, Tribal, and/or low-income areas that are underserved by current program operations by providing TEFAP state agencies with another opportunity to work with currently participating organizations and/or new partner organizations, to reach underserved populations. Applications Due: 3/6/2023

USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development supports zero-interest loans and grants for current and former eligible Rural Utilities Service borrowers who then use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that create/retain jobs or support community facility projects. Stakeholder Announcement. Federal Register. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office by 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development loans and grants support Microenterprise Development Organization to establish revolving loan funds. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office by 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

Intermediary Relending Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funds to local lenders or “intermediaries” that re-lend to businesses to improve economic conditions and create new opportunities in rural communities. Stakeholder Announcement. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office by 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

RBDG - Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to provide rural communities with training and technical assistance to improve passenger transportation services and facilities. Contact your nearest USDA office for more information. Application Deadline: 4/19/2023

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities December 20, 2023

Funding Opportunities for Infrastructure 

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grants
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency grants support pre-disaster mitigation activities to build capacity to help identify mitigation actions and implement projects that reduce risks posed by natural hazards. Application Deadline: 1/27/2023

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding for agriculture producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements. Contact your local State Energy Coordinator for assistance. Federal Register.  Application Deadlines: Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance 1/31/2023, Grants 3/31/2023 and Loan Guarantees are accepted year-round

RAISE Transportation Discretionary Grants: FY 2023 National Infrastructure Investments
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT offers funding to support capital investments in unmet surface transportation infrastructure needs with an emphasis on rural areas and tribal lands. Application Deadline: 2/28/2023

Emergency Rural Health Care Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development Track One: Recovery Grants provide immediate relief to address the economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 emergency. Application Deadline: Until funds are exhausted

Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees
USDA Rural Development offers financial assistance to eligible service providers that will construct, improve or expand telecommunication and broadband networks in rural areas. Application Deadline: Open

Funding Opportunities for Community and Economic Development

The Fertilizer Product Expansion Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to help eligible applicants increase or otherwise expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives and their availability in the United States. Webinar Slides. Application Deadlines: 12/29/2022

Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides grant funding to intermediary lenders who finance – or plan to finance – the start-up, expansion, or operation of slaughter, or other processing of meat and poultry. Application Deadline: 12/31/2022

Solid Waste Management Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funds to organizations to provide technical assistance and/or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas. Application Deadline: 12/31/2022

Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funds for organizations that assist communities with water and/or wastewater operations through technical assistance and training. Application Deadline: 12/31/2022

USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development supports zero-interest loans and grants for current and former eligible Rural Utilities Service borrowers who then use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that create/retain jobs or support community facility projects. Stakeholder Announcement. Federal Register. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office by 12/31/2022, 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

USDA Regional Food Business Centers
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service program serves as the cornerstone of USDA’s development of local and regional supply chains offering funds for coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building support to small and mid-sized food and farm businesses, with the goal of creating a more resilient, diverse, and competitive food system. Request for Applications & FAQs in Spanish. Application Deadline: 1/6/2023 (Extended)

Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program
Universal Service Administrative Company
Federal Communications Commission grants to support partners to conduct a wide range of innovative outreach activities to raise awareness of the program to increase viable eConnectivity. Application Deadline: 1/9/2023

The New Markets Tax Credit Program
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) helps economically distressed communities attract private capital by providing investors with a federal tax credit. Investments used to finance businesses and support neglected or underserved low-income communities. Fact Sheets: English / Español. Application Deadline: 1/26/2023

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funding to help people in rural and tribal communities access remote education and health care resources by funding real-time, interactive distance learning and telemedicine services to increase access to education, training and health care resources that are otherwise limited or unavailable. $64 million available in fiscal year 2023. $12 million is intended for projects that provide substance use disorder treatment services. Application Deadline: 1/30/2023

Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA is seeking applications from organizations with a demonstrable history of providing effective, results-oriented technical assistance to public water systems. The Agency’s priorities include maximizing funds to provide significant benefit to drinking water systems in communities of need; tackling the climate crisis; and advancing environmental justice and equity. Application Deadline: 1/31/2023

YouthBuild Grants
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
DOL’s Employment and Training Administration provides funding for pre-apprenticeship services to support education, occupational skills training and employment services for at-risk youth. Application Deadline: 2/7/2023

Rural Health Innovation and Transformation Technical Assistance
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration program to provide technical assistance to support rural health care through innovative payment models and to promote the value-based care landscape in the context of rural health care. Application Deadline: 2/7/2023

Rural Business Development Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this very important program designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses that have fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. Applicants are advised to view program information specific to state to learn about local application timelines, concept paper requirements, etc. Application Deadline: 2/28/2023

Agriculture Innovation Center (AIC) Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offer this program to establish and operate Agriculture Innovation Centers that provide technical and business development assistance to Agricultural Producers seeking to engage in developing and marketing of Value-Added Agricultural Products. Application Deadline: 3/6/2023

Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program
U.S. Department of Interior (DOI)
DOI's National Park Service offers grants to states, and through states to local units of government and federally-recognized Indian tribes, for projects that will provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public through the acquisition of lands and waters for parks and other outdoor recreation areas, as well as through the development of new, or the renovation of existing, outdoor recreation facilities. Application Deadline: 5/31/2023

Rural Health Care: Telecommunications Program
Universal Service Administrative Company
Federal Communications Commission funding for healthcare providers to support telecommunications and voice services for the use of telemedicine and telehealth. Application Deadline: 4/1/2023

Rural Health Care: Healthcare Connect Fund
Universal Service Administrative Company
Federal Communications Commission funding to assist healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to broadband connectivity. Application Deadline: 4/1/2023