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Opportunities

Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities 12/19/2023

Funding Opportunities For Infrastructure

Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program & Loan Guarantees
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funding supporting access to clean, reliable water, and waste disposal systems in eligible rural areas. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development grants for eligible communities to prepare for or recover from an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT funding for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, community connectivity, economic competitiveness including tourism, and innovation. Application Deadline: 2/28/2024

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development 
program to provide funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Federal Register Notice. Contact your State Energy CoordinatorApplication Deadline: Various through 9/30/2024

 

Funding Opportunities Supporting Community and Economic Development

Woman next to sandwich signRural Business Development Grant (RBDG) 
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this versatile program to support business opportunities or business enterprise projects in eligible rural areas. Uses may include establishing business support centers, financing job training or leadership development programs, the repair or modernization of buildings, creating feasibility studies, the purchase equipment to lease to small or emerging businesses, and much more. Specific requirements apply. Contact your local office for assistance. Application Deadline: 2/28/2024

Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this program to help qualified, private nonprofits provide technical assistance and training to identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste problems, help applicants prepare applications for water and waste disposal loans/grants, and help associations improve the operation and maintenance of water and waste facilities in eligible rural areas. Application Deadline: 12/31/2023

USDA Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
U.S. Forest Service (FS)
FS offers a unique program for applicants to acquire and conserve forests that provide public access and recreational opportunities, protect vital water supplies, protect wildlife habitats, serve as demonstration sites for private forest landowners, and provide economic benefits from timber and non-timber products. Application Deadline: 1/12/2024

Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program
U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE)
DOE provides this program to support viable projects that will: (1) improve electric transmission by increasing funding and advancing interconnection processes for faster buildout of energy projects; (2) create comprehensive solutions that link grid communications systems and operations to increase resilience and reduce power outages and threats; and (3) deploy advanced technologies, such as distributed energy resources and battery systems, to provide essential grid services. Concept Paper: Required by 1/12/2024

Partnerships for Local Agriculture & Nutrition Transformation in Schools (PLANTS)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives, led by the Chef Ann Foundation, will support regional efforts to expand scratch-cooked meal programs, increase equity, foster a resilient supply chain, and create scalable and sustainable change for school districts across the country. These grants will increase opportunities for regional small- and mid-scale producers, aggregators, and processors to become part of the K-12 school food market. Application Deadline: 1/22/2024

Adult teaching childrenSupporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems (Project SCALES)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives, led by the Center for School and Community Partnerships, will fund projects that will increase the procurement of locally sourced foods by developing innovative partnerships between schools, producers, growers, and processors. Application Deadline: 1/26/2024

YouthBuild
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
DOE’s Employment and Training Administration offers this community-based pre-apprenticeship program to provide job training and educational services for youth ages 16-24 who left school without a secondary diploma and face barriers to employment. Participants learn vocational skills in construction, as well as in other in-demand industries that include healthcare, information technology, and hospitality. Application Deadline: 2/1/2024

Training and Technical Assistance to Improve Water Quality and Enable Small Public Water Systems to Provide Safe Drinking Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA offers grants to provide training and technical assistance for rural or small public water systems, onsite/decentralized wastewater systems, and private well owners. Application Deadline: 2/2/2024

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants to promote and strengthen the ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to carry out higher education programs that attract, retain, and graduate outstanding students capable of enhancing the nation's food, agriculture, natural resources, and scientific workforce. Application Deadline: 2/6/2024

USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement offers this program to provide educational and career opportunities for applicants seeking bachelor's degrees from an 1890 Land Grant University. Application Deadline: 3/1/2024

Forest Corps
AmeriCorps NCCC and United States Forest Service will engage young adults this summer in wildland fire prevention, reforestation, and other natural and cultural resource management projects. Members will receive a compensation package equivalent to $15 an hour, including lodging, transportation, clothing, a living allowance, health benefit, and more. Application Deadline: Member 3/31/2024 | Team Leader 2/29/2024 

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities, November 16, 2023

 

Funding

USDA Rural Development Funding

Funding for Infrastructure

Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to access the various distance learning tools needed to improve health care in rural areas. Call your State Office now to plan for success! Application Deadline: Prepare Now!

ReConnect Loan and Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Application Deadline: Prepare Now!

Solid Waste Management Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funds for organizations to provide technical assistance and/or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites in rural areas. Visit USDA RD’s other Water and Environmental ProgramsApplication Deadline: Open

Business and Industry Loan Guarantees (B&I)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program offering loan guarantees to lenders for their loans to rural businesses including hospitals, clinics, hotels, and more. Application Deadline: Open

AmbulanceCommunity Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program supporting the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. This includes qualified health care needs such as rural hospitals, ambulances, clinics, mobile dental units, firetrucks, and more. Direct Loan Applicant Guidance Book: PDF | Spanish. Also see RD’s Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan ProgramApplication Deadlines: Open

Community Facilities Program Disaster Repair Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funding to repair essential community facilities in rural areas that were damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters in Calendar Year 2022. Application Deadline: Open

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program, also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Application Deadline: Open

Single Family Housing Rural Disaster Home Repair Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture

USDA Rural Development offers this pilot program that makes funds available to repair and rebuild homes damaged in specific areas of presidentially declared disasters. Application Deadline: Open

Rural Housing Site Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture

USDA Rural Development offers specific loans to eligible entities to purchase and develop housing sites for low- and moderate-income income families. Application Deadline: Open

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grants
Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds for pre-disaster mitigation activities to build capacity of state and local governments, tribes, and territories to help them to identify mitigation actions and implement projects that reduce risks posed by natural hazards. Priority is given for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities, including rural areas. Application Deadline: Open

 

Funding for Community and Economic Development

Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development funding for public bodies and private nonprofit corporations, to provide technical assistance and/or training with respect to essential community facilities programs. Prepare Now!

Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development grants for organizations that assist rural and tribal communities with water and/or wastewater operations through technical assistance and training. Application Deadline: Open

Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Application Deadline: Prepare now!

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. Application Deadline: Quarterly to your RD State Office.

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: Quarterly to your RD State Office.

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. Application Deadline: Quarterly to your RD State Office.

Food and Agriculture Service-Learning Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture program is to increase the knowledge of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health of children. Application Deadline: 12/7/2023

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture program to develop and expand existing farm to school initiatives and other food and learning initiatives with the overall goal of increasing knowledge of agriculture and improving the nutritional health of children Application Deadline: 12/7/2023

Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
DOJ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention training and technical assistance initiative designed to help public safety and public health practitioners and other community stakeholders collaborate more effectively to address substance use and misuse in rural communities. Application Deadline: 12/15/2023

AmeriCorps State and National Public Health AmeriCorps Grants
AmeriCorps
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program, through AmeriCorps, to support the recruitment, training, and development of public health leaders able to provide service in response to the public health needs of urban and rural communities. Application Deadline: 1/4/2024

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Utilizing Telemedicine or Other Remote-Based Platforms to Develop and Support Treatments for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse Notice of Special Interest for research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of telemedicine or remotely provided treatments for SUD, and to develop tools for remote collection of data in clinical trials of treatments for SUD. Projects focusing on racial and ethnic minorities, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, and rural populations are encouraged. Application Deadline: 1/8/2024

National Association of Community Health Centers New Board Chair Leadership Program
National Association of Community Health Centers
This 5-part virtual leadership training program is offered to new health center board chairs or those about to step into the board chair role. Application Deadline: 1/16/2024

Rural Health Network Development Planning Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHS Federal Office of Rural Health Policy offers funding to promote the planning and development of integrated rural healthcare networks in order to achieve efficiencies; expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential healthcare services; and strengthen the rural healthcare system as a whole. Application Deadline: 1/26/2024

HHS Environmental Justice Community Innovator Challenge
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHS Office of Minority Health challenge designed to find community-led strategies and tools to address health disparities in communities disproportionately impacted by environmental risks and hazards, including those related to climate change. Application Deadline: 1/30/2024

VA Quality Scholars Fellowship
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
VA two-year residential fellowship for clinicians who are interested in making veteran healthcare equitable and accessible for marginalized and rural populations. Application Deadline: 3/1/2024

Robert Wood Johnson Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health
This program seeks to influence health equity in any of four areas: Future of Evidence; Future of Social Interaction; Future of Food; Future of Work. Application Deadline: Open

 

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities October 25, 2023

USDA Rural Development Funding

Rural Energy for America Program Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, health care, and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal, and high-poverty areas. Application Deadlines: 12/31/2023; 3/31/2024; and 6/30/2024, to the USDA Rural Development State Office

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development Loan guarantees to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities. Application Deadline: Open

Intermediary Relending Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides low-interest loans to local lenders known as intermediaries, who then relend the funds to businesses to improve economic conditions and create new opportunities in rural communities. Application Deadlines: 12/31/2023; 3/31/2024; and 6/30/2024, to the USDA Rural Development State Office

Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development 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. Application Deadlines: 12/31/2023; 3/31/2024; and 6/30/2024, to the USDA Rural Development State Office

Rural Business Investment Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides a Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) license to newly formed developmental capital organizations to fill the need for business and development capital in rural areas. The program works with for-profit developmental capital funds. Application Deadline: Open

Radio Microphone

 

U Heard it Here! USDA Rural Development Administrator’s Neal and Burke discuss the critical link of Cooperatives in Rural Communities nationwide.

 

USDA Rural Development Funding - Prepare Now!

Rural Business Development Grant: Supports small and emerging private businesses to start or expand. Funds can be used to purchase or develop land, buildings, and equipment; to cover costs for feasibility studies and business plans and provide other technical assistance; to improve rural transportation, establish revolving loan funds, and support rural distance learning programs that provide educational or job training.

Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program: Helps establish and operate cooperative development centers. Cooperative development centers provide technical assistance, conduct feasibility studies, develop business plans, provide training, and facilitate strategic planning.

Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grants: Provides financial support to co-ops and their associations or development centers for technical assistance to small, socially disadvantaged groups. Funds can be used for feasibility studies, business plans, strategic planning, and leadership training.

Rural Energy for America Program Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants: Assists rural small businesses and agricultural producers by conducting and promoting energy audits and providing Renewable Energy Development Assistance.

Broadband Technical Assistance Grants: Supports project planning, community engagement, financial sustainability, environmental compliance, construction planning and engineering, accessing federal resources, and data collection and reporting for broadband projects.

Community Connect Grants: Provides broadband service in rural, economically challenged communities where internet service does not yet exist. Funds can also cover costs to provide broadband service to critical community facilities for 2 years.

ReConnect Loans and Grants: Expands broadband service to rural areas without sufficient broadband access. Funds can be used to construct, improve, acquire broadband and terrestrial satellite broadband facilities and equipment, and for preapplication expenses.

Rural Broadband Loans, Loan and Grant Combinations, and Loan Guarantees: Provides funds for the construction, improvement, or purchase of facilities and equipment needed to provide service at the broadband lending speed in eligible rural areas

Fertilizer Production Expansion Program: Increases or expands the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer, nutrient alternatives, and other nutrient management products and technologies in the United States and its territories.

Value-Added Producer Grants: Program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.

 

Community and Economic Development Funding

Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program
U.S. Department of Transportation offers this program to fund the deployment of EV charging infrastructure. Cooperatives may coordinate with their respective local governments. Application Deadline: 11/13/2023

Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) Grants
CDF offers three important grants to support the co-op community thrive: Cooperative Development Fund, Disaster Recovery Fund, and Cooperative Education Fund. Application Deadline: Varies

People celebrating homeownershipNational Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC)
NAHC offers a listing of funding sources. Application Deadline: Varies

Capital Impact Partners Funding
Capital Impact Partners support disinvested entrepreneurs, co-ops, real estate developers of color, Community Development Financial Institutions, and other changemakers break down traditional barriers by offering resources, support, and networks to foster success. Application Deadline: Varies

Thriving Communities Program 
U.S. Department of Transportation program to provide technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to disadvantaged and under-resourced communities. Application Deadline: 11/15/2023

Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants
Work with your local government relating to the HUD program to support the implementation of comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans that are expected to achieve affordable housing goals. Application Deadline: 11/21/2023

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Grants
This foundation will invest and help provide support to entrepreneurs for a three-year funding cycle to launch and expand their ventures. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities 08/15/2023

Funding Opportunities Supporting Infrastructure

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Presidentially Declared Disasters Pilot
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program for very-low-income homeowners to repair disaster related damage caused to their homes. Specific requirements apply. Application Deadline: Open

Powering Affordable Clean Energy Program (PACE)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to help make clean, affordable, and reliable energy accessible to the people of rural America. Rural Utilities Service program to forgive a percentage of loans for specific renewable energy projects. Letters of Interest (Required): 9/29/2023

Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies such as advanced biofuelsrenewable chemicals and biobased productsApplication Deadline: 10/3/2023

HOPE VI Main Street Grant Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD provides grants for small communities to assist in the renovation of an historic or traditional central business district, or “Main Street” area, by replacing unused, obsolete, commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units. Application Deadline: 10/12/2023

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides grants to help eligible processors expand their processing capacity, to creates new, better and more processing options for meat and poultry producers. Application Deadline: 11/22/2023

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development HBIIP seeks to increase the availability of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel derived from U.S. agricultural products by sharing the costs to build and retrofit biofuel-related infrastructure. Federal RegisterApplication Deadline: Various through 9/30/2024

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program provides funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Federal Register Notice. More Flexible Inflation Reduction Act Changes. Contact your State Energy CoordinatorApplication Deadline: Various through 9/30/2024

 

Funding Opportunities Supporting Community and Economic Development

ParkVentures Program
The National Park Foundation (NPF)
NPF program to engage historically excluded audiences at national parks through recreational activities. Application Deadline: 10/05/2023  

Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete Pilot Program)
U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
DOC’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) program designed to make focused investments in communities most in need of economic resources to provide options supporting a path to economic prosperity. Application Deadline: 10/5/2023

Farm To School Technical Assistance-Cooperative Agreement
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Food and Nutrition Service offers farm-to-school stakeholder funding to expand qualified activities. Application Deadline: 10/10/2023

Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Fixed Award Grant Program
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE offers this grant program to provide financial investment, technical assistance, and other resources to advance clean energy demonstrations and energy solutions that benefit rural and remote communities. Application Deadline: 10/12/2023

USDA Forest Service Inflation Reduction Act Forest Landowner Support
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service offers incentives for forestry practices and support for underserved landowners and small-acreage landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience. Application Deadline: 10/21/2023

T-Mobile Hometown Grants Program
T-Mobile offers funding for shovel-ready projects to create outdoor spaces, community centers or hiking trails. Application Deadline: Quarterly

Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers grants to qualified applicants that meet program guidelines to reduce food insecurity while improving access to services. Application Deadline: 10/30/2023

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers funding for new tools, approaches, and technologies to further conservation on private lands. Two separate funding opportunities are available: CIG On-Farm Trials and CIG Classic. Proposals Due By: 10/30/2023  

High Energy Cost Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, or otherwise improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities. Grants may also be used to install on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems and to make energy efficiency improvements. Application Deadline: 10/31/2023

The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding to improve access to healthy foods in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs and revitalize low-income communities. Application Deadline: 11/03/2023

Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Disaster Repair Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding to support technical assistance for repairing essential community facilities damaged by Presidentially declared disasters in calendar year 2022. Specific requirements apply. For more information, visit the Federal Register. Application Deadlines: Paper submissions by 11/29/2023 | via Grants.gov by 11/24/2023

 

  

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