Funding Opportunities

Rural Infrastructure

Revolving Funds for Financing Water and Wastewater Projects Program
This USDA Rural Development program supports predevelopment costs for water or wastewater projects to finance short-term and small capital projects that are not part of regular operation and maintenance costs for water and wastewater systems. Application Deadline: June 12, 2020

HRSA Telehealth Network Grant Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 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

Federal Communications Commission COVID-19 Telehealth Program
Federal Communications Commission funding for the adoption of a telehealth program to support health care providers respond to the coronavirus pandemic. FAQs. Application Deadline: Open

Federal Communications Commission High Speed Broadband/Rural Opportunity Fund
The Federal Communications Commission designed the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund to bring high- speed fixed broadband service to rural homes and small businesses that lack access. FCC Proposes the 5G Fund for Rural America. Application Deadline: Open

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

Economic Development

Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan and Advance 
U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses which includes those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture and all other farming and agricultural related industries. Other SBA Relief Options. Application Deadline: Open

Small Business Innovation Research Program
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture program offers competitive grants to qualified small businesses to support high-quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits. Application Deadline: May 21, 2020

Farmers Market Promotion Program
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service program to help develop, coordinate and expand direct producer to consumer markets to help increase access to and availability and regionally produced agricultural products supporting both capacity building and community development, training and technical assistance projects. Application Deadline: May 26, 2020

Regional Food System Partnerships & Local Food Promotion Program
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grants to support the development, coordination, and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to help increase access and availability to locally and regionally produced agricultural products. Application Deadline: May 26, 2020

Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs
U.S. Small Business Administration offers funding to provide assistance and guidance to disadvantaged microentrepreneurs and/or microenterprise development organizations. Applications Deadline: May 31, 2020

Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants to plan or implement food projects designed to meet the needs of low-income individuals and increase community self-reliance concerning food and nutrition. Application Deadline: June 3, 2020

AFRI Rapid Response to Novel Coronavirus Impacts Across Food & Agricultural Systems
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers grants to support critical and urgent research, extension, or integrated solutions in response to COVID-19 and its impacts on the nation’s food and agricultural systems. RFA. Application Deadline: June 4, 2020

Rural Telementoring Training Center
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program to train academic medical centers and other centers of excellence to create or expand technology enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models and share resources to support training nationwide supporting rural and underserved areas. Application Deadline: June 16, 2020

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