USDA Rural Development grants
USDA Rural Development funds businesses, utilities, housing and community buildings in rural areas, generally towns under 50,000 people. Its grants include Rural Business Development Grants, Community Facilities grants and REAP, which helps farmers and rural small businesses pay for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades.
Each state has a Rural Development office that takes applications and can say which programs are open.
- Open now
- 5
- Upcoming
- 0
- Next deadline
- November 20, 2026
Open and forecast USDA Rural Development opportunities
From Grants.gov, soonest deadline first.
- Closes20 NOV
Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program
USDA · Others
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for applications under the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program. In addition, the Agency is announcing the eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines, and the cr
- Closes07 DEC
MPPEP Phase 3 Invasive Wild-Caught Catfish
USDA · Counties, Tribes, Others, +6 more
The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible meat and poultry processors expand their capacity, which creates new, better and more processing options for meat and poultry producers. The goal for MPPEP Phase 3 Round 2 is to support Processors of Invasive, Wild-Caught Catfish species by increasing Processing capaci
- Closes31 DEC
Solid Waste Management Grant Program
USDA · Others
Funds may be used to: (a) Provide technical assistance and/or training to reduce the solid waste stream through reduction, recycling, and reuse. (b) Provide training to enhance operator skills in maintaining and operating active landfills. (c) Provide technical assistance and/or training for operators of landfills which are closed or will be closed in the ne
- Closes31 DEC
Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program
USDA · Nonprofits
Funds may be used to pay expenses associated with providing technical assistance and/or training (TAT) to: Identify and evaluate solutions to water problems relating to source, storage, treatment, or distribution; identify and evaluate solutions to waste problems relating to collection, treatment, or disposal: assist applicants, that have filed a pre-applica
- Closes31 JAN
Agriculture Innovation Center Grant Program
USDA · Cities and towns, Small businesses, States, +7 more
The primary objective of the program is to provide grants to Agriculture Innovation Centers that will provide technical assistance to agricultural producers to market value-added agricultural products.
Where USDA Rural Development grant money went in 2025
Awards from October 2024 to September 2025, from USAspending.gov.
| Program (Assistance Listing) | Awarded |
|---|---|
| Affordable Rural Cooperative 10.758 | $5.5 billion |
| Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants 10.855 | $595 million |
| Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities 10.760 | $518 million |
| Fertilizer Product Expansion Program 10.383 | $444 million |
| Rural Energy for America Program 10.868 | $360 million |
| Community Facilities Loans and Grants 10.766 | $312 million |
| Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program 10.754 | $246 million |
| Rural Development Multi-Family Housing Rural Housing Voucher Program 10.448 | $45 million |
| Recipient | Awarded |
|---|---|
| Great River Energy | $794 million |
| Basin Electric Power Cooperative | $597 million |
| East Kentucky Power Cooperative, INC. | $495 million |
| Central Electric Power Cooperative INC | $442 million |
| Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, INC. | $431 million |
| Seminole Electric Cooperative, INC | $332 million |
| Minnkota Power Cooperative, INC. | $260 million |
| San Miguel Electric Coop | $190 million |
Questions
When is the next USDA Rural Development grant deadline?
The next deadline is November 20, 2026 for Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program.
How do I apply for a USDA Rural Development grant?
Register your organization in SAM.gov to get a Unique Entity ID, create a Grants.gov account, then find the opportunity and submit before its deadline. Some agencies finish the application in their own system, such as JustGrants, eRA Commons or Research.gov.
Can individuals get USDA Rural Development grants?
Rarely. Federal grants go mostly to organizations: nonprofits, local governments, tribes, schools, colleges and, in research programs, small businesses. Help for individuals usually comes through state and local agencies.
Do I have to pay to apply for a grant?
No. Real grant programs never charge to apply or to receive an award. Anyone asking for a fee before you get grant money is running a scam.