Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities October 21, 2022

Funding Opportunities Supporting Infrastructure 

Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees
USDA Rural Development
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

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. Application Deadline: 10/31/2022 (set aside) and 3/31/2023

Broadband ReConnect Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding for construction, improvement or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Application Deadline: 11/2/2022

The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD offers funds to facilitate and encourage innovative homeownership opportunities on a national, geographically diverse basis through the provision of self-help homeownership housing programs. Applicants must propose to use a significant amount grant funds in at least two states. Application Deadline: 11/7/2022

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers program funding designed to increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. Stakeholder Announcement. Application Deadline: 11/21/2022

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

Funding Opportunities for Community and Economic Development

Water and Environmental Programs Manufactured Homes Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funds to support expenses associated with providing technical assistance and/or training related to manufactured homes. Specific requirements apply. Full announcement. Application Deadline: 11/13/2022

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. Application Deadlines: 11/14/2022 and 12/29/2022

EPA Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA’s Brownfield Grants may be used to address sites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants and petroleum. Tipos de financiación con subvenciones para terrenos baldíos de la EPA. Application Deadlines: 11/22/2022

Community Mobility Ready-to-Launch Grants
Federal Transit Administration
National Center for Mobility Management offers these grants to support communities implement transportation solutions to help underserved residents become fully engaged in economic opportunities to become more integrated into their community. Application Deadline: 11/23/2022

Thriving Communities Program (TCP)
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT’s Build America Bureau program facilitates the planning and development of transportation and community revitalization activities and provides tools to ensure that under-resourced communities can access the historic funding provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Letter of Interest (Required): 12/6/2022

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

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 12/31/2022, 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 12/31/2022, 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

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

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities, September 21, 2022

Funding Opportunities Supporting Infrastructure 

Broadband ReConnect Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding for construction, improvement or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Recorded Webinar materials (Round 4). Application Deadline: 11/2/2022

Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) program to expand middle mile broadband infrastructure and reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas. Application Deadline: 9/30/2022

HUD Older Adults Home Modification Grants
U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD offers “set aside” funding supporting rural projects for home modifications and limited repairs for low-income, elderly homeowners. Application Deadline: 10/13/2022

The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)
U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD funds to facilitate and encourage innovative homeownership opportunities on a national, geographically diverse basis through the provision of self-help homeownership housing programs. Applicants must propose to use a significant amount grant funds in at least two states. Application Deadline: November 11/7/2022

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

Funding Opportunities for Community and Economic Development

USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development loan and grant program that provides zero-interest loans and grants to current and former eligible Rural Utilities Service borrowers to then use the funds to help local businesses finance projects to create and retain jobs or finance community facility projects. Stakeholder Announcement. Federal Register. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office on a quarterly basis - 9/30/2022, 12/31/2022, 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program provides loans and grants to a non-profit entity, tribe or institution of higher education as a Microenterprise Development Organization (MDO) to establish revolving loan funds to provide loans to rural microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs. Application Deadline: To your RD State Office on a quarterly basis - 9/30/2022, 12/31/2022, 3/31/23 and 6/30/23

Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD program which enhances the capacity and ability of rural housing development organizations, Community Development Corporations, Community Housing Development Organizations, rural local governments and Indian tribes to carry out affordable housing and community development activities in rural areas for the benefit of low-and moderate-income families and persons. Application Deadline: 10/11/2022

Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration offers this program to support community-based partnerships and collaborations aimed at promoting access to health care for under-resourced and underserved children, youth, and their families. Application Deadline: 10/12/2022

Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
This DOT Pilot program will help reconnect communities that were previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure through for public engagement, planning activities, capital construction projects and technical assistance. DOT Navigator. NOFO. Application Deadline: 10/13/2022

Continuum of Care to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homeless
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families and communities by homelessness. Includes funds set aside to address homelessness in rural communities. Application Deadline: 10/20/2022  

AFRI Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development Program
U.S. Department of of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) support in seven areas: agricultural workforce training; professional development for agricultural literacy; training of undergraduate students in research and extension; fellowships for predoctoral candidates; fellowships for postdoctoral scholars, a new program for food and agricultural non-formal education and evaluation of NIFA’s agricultural literacy and workforce development portfolio. Application Deadline: 10/27/2022

Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy funding to small rural hospitals purchase equipment or training to attain value-based payment and care goals or purchase health information technology, equipment, or training. Application Deadline: 11/8/2022

Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE)
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
The ARC offers this new Multi-State Funding for applicants to highlight partnerships across multiple states and provide a plan that showcases the economic impact of proposed project. Application Deadline: Accepted on a Rolling Basis 

Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities 08/10/2022

Funding Opportunities Supporting Rural e-Connectivity

Broadband ReConnect Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding for construction, improvement or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Recorded Webinar materials (Round 4). Application Window Opens: 9/6/2022 | Closes: 11/2/2022

Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) program to expand middle mile broadband infrastructure and reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas. Application Deadline: 9/30/2022

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

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. Application Deadline: Ongoing

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

Funding Opportunities for Community and Economic Development

Economic Development Focus on Energy Communities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Administration for Children and Families offers Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds to Community Development Corporations for CED projects that serve energy communities. Application Deadline: 8/29/2022

Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships: Solar Workforce Development
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office offers funding for programs that will facilitate the rapid deployment of solar energy technologies while supporting an inclusive workforce. SETO’s workforce development programs. Letter of Intent (mandatory): 9/13/2022

Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA grants to establish technical assistance centers across the nation to communities with environmental justice concerns. Application Deadline: 10/4/2022

Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD program which enhances the capacity and ability of rural housing development organizations, Community Development Corporations, Community Housing Development Organizations, rural local governments and Indian tribes to carry out affordable housing and community development activities in rural areas for the benefit of low-and moderate-income families and persons. Application Deadline: 10/11/2022

Continuum of Care to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homeless
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families and communities by homelessness. Includes funds set aside to address homelessness in rural communities. Application Deadline: 10/20/2022   

America's Farmers Grow Communities Project
Bayer Fund
Grant to Farmers to direct to an eligible Charity to improve science, health and nutrition in communities and organizations within the county where the winning farmer farms or resides. Application Deadline: 11/1/2022

Institute of Museum and Library Services Applications for all six programs are due on November 15, 2022

• Museums for America
• Inspire! Grants for Small Museums
• Museums Empowered
• National Leadership Grants for Museums
• Museum Grants for African American History and Culture
• Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services

SPOTLIGHT: USDA-EPA Partnership to Provide Wastewater Sanitation to Underserved Communities USDA and EPA announced the Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative to jointly leverage technical assistance resources to help historically underserved communities identify and pursue federal funding opportunities to address their wastewater needs and eliminate harmful exposure to backyard sewage.

Innovation Matters, Funding Opportunities July 19, 2022

Funding Opportunities Supporting Rural e-Connectivity

Telecommunications Programs
USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is committed to ensuring that rural areas have access to affordable and reliable telecommunications services. General Field Representatives (GFRs) serve as the local information conduit for the borrowers and headquarters staff. RUS programs include:   

• ReConnect Loan and Grant Program: Funds for construction, improvement or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Recorded Webinar materials (Round 4) now available. Application Window: Opening Soon. Prepare now!
• Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees: Financing for the construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of telephone service and broadband in rural areas. Application Deadline: Open
• Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants: Helps 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 Window: Closed/Projected Winter Opening. Prepare early!
• Community Connect Grants: Provides, on a “community-oriented connectivity” basis, broadband service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care and public safety benefits. Application Window: Closed/Projected Spring Opening. Prepare early!

Community Grant Program
Foundation for Rural Services 
This funding supports business and community development, education and telecommunications to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America. Application Deadline: 8/31/2022

Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program
U.S. Department of Commerce 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) program to expand middle mile broadband infrastructure and reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas. Application Deadline: 9/30/2022

Digital Equity Act Programs
U.S. Department of Commerce 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) offers programs that promote digital inclusion and advance equity for all to ensure all communities have affordable access and can use the internet to improve their lives. Application Deadlines: Various. Plan now!

Capital Projects Fund
U.S. Department of Treasury
This fund offers payments to eligible governments to carry out critical capital projects that directly enable work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options, in response to the public health emergency. Application Deadline: Various

Affordable Connectivity Program
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
This FCC program helps low-income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices. Application Deadline: Open

Virtual Living Room
The Foundation for Rural Service
This grant combines rural technology, VA resources and local support to improve healthcare access for veterans in rural areas. Application Deadline: Ongoing

Funding Opportunities for Community and Economic Development

SPOTLIGHT: Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers placemaking funding to provide technical assistance and planning to communities to enhance capacity for high-speed internet access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support development in transportation, housing and recreational spaces. Stakeholder Announcement. Federal Register. Toolkit. Application Deadline: 8/15/2022

Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program for intermediaries to use funding to establish a revolving loan fund to finance a variety of activities related to meat and poultry processing. Application Deadline: 7/25/2022

Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD program for public housing agencies, governments, tribal entities and nonprofits that support the development of comprehensive plans to revitalize severely distressed public housing and/or HUD-assisted housing and the surrounding neighborhood. Application Deadline: 7/28/2022

Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
This program helps qualified nonprofits and tribes create a revolving loan fund to increase access to clean, reliable water and septic systems for households in eligible rural areas. Application Deadline: 7/31/2022

Brownfields Job Training Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EDA)
EDA offers funding to deliver training programs that recruit, train, and retain a local, skilled workforce by prioritizing unemployed and under-employed residents to obtain the skills and credentials needed for pathways into full-time employment in the environmental field. Application Deadline: 8/2/2022

Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments
U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
EDA is seeking an organization/coalition to build, launch and operate the Economic Recovery Corps program. Additionally, the Equity Impact Investments program seeks to build a coalition of organizations to enhance economic development engagement to better serve underserved populations. Application Deadlines: 8/5/2022

Underrepresented Community Grants
National Park Service (NPS)
NPS’s Historic Preservation Fund offers this grant program which supports the survey, inventory, and designation of historic properties that are associated with communities currently underrepresented in the National Register of Historic Places and among National Historic Landmarks. Application Deadline: 8/10/2022

EPA Training/Technical Assistance for Rural Wastewater Treatment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA provides training and technical assistance for rural, small, and tribal municipalities, publicly owned wastewater treatment works, and decentralized wastewater treatment systems for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. Application Deadline: 8/22/2022

CDFI Equitable Recovery Program
The U.S. Department of the Treasury
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund to 1) expand lending, grant making and investment activities and 2) to build organizational capacity and acquire technology, staff and other tools necessary to accomplish the activities. Application Deadline: 8/23/2022