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
