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CATALYST PROGRAM is sponsored by Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). Stimulates economic growth and inspires partnerships to improve rural economic vitality across the four-state NBRC region, including Vermont.
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CATALYST PROGRAM | Northern Border Regional Commission Careers & Contracting Opportunities The Catalyst Program is NBRC’s flagship competitive grant program, formerly known as the State Economic & Infrastructure Development (SEID) program.
Through Catalyst, NBRC invests in state economic development priorities to support a broad range of initiatives that modernize and expand the Northern Border region’s basic infrastructure and revitalizes communities to support and attract the region’s workforce. The Catalyst Program is designed to stimulate economic growth and inspire partnerships that improve rural economic vitality across the four-state NBRC region.
NBRC encourages projects that take a creative approach to addressing an economic need or opportunity in the region, alleviate economic distress, and contribute to economic growth.
Successful projects support a broad range of economic development initiatives such as, but not limited to, projects that modernize and expand access to public water and wastewater services, revitalize transportation infrastructure, establish workforce development programs and facilities, grow the outdoor recreation economy, and provide access to new childcare and healthcare facilities.
Catalyst Program Award History View awards that have been made through the NBRC's Catalyst Program in each state: A pre-application is required to apply for the Catalyst Program. Your state’s designated NBRC Program Manager will provide important feedback to consider as you develop your pre-application materials. Follow the process below to engage with your state’s program manager.
Location Eligibility Guidance: Your project must be located within NBRC's service area in order to be eligible for funding. See the full list of counties and communities to check eligibility and project match determination .
Eligible Applicant Guidance: State government (Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont only) Local governments (village, town, city and county) Secondary and career technical centers Other political subdivisions of States (regional planning commissions, authorities of the state) Non-profit entities (see Program Manual for additional details) Indian Tribes (federally recognized Indian tribes, see Program Manual for additional details) For-profit entities, LLCs and other entities that are not a 501(c) are NOT eligible to apply for Catalyst Program funding.
Projects must be consistent with the economic development goals of the region and advance a combination of NBRC and member state priorities. The Catalyst Program will prioritize funding for projects that demonstrate both readiness and projected direct impacts on the region’s economy and communities.
Review your State’s Economic Development Strategy: Maine Economic Development Strategy 2020-2029 New Hampshire Recovery and Expansion Strategy New York Regional Economic Development Councils & relevant plans Vermont 2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Vermont prioritizes those projects listed on the Regional Project Prioritization Lists . Check to see if your project qualifies as a priority for Vermont.
Review NBRC Catalyst Program investment priorities: Projects that directly benefit communities that have been underrepresented in past NBRC investments will be prioritized. The focus is on rural communities with fewer than 5,000 people and underserved communities. Projects that demonstrate how they meet multiple needs within Catalyst project categories and are designed to create efficiencies will be prioritized.
Projects that demonstrate how communities prevent, reduce, withstand, and recover from extreme weather-related disasters. NBRC recommends interested applicants in Maine, New York and Vermont complete the Project Interest Form before meeting with their State Program Manager. The information in this form allows the program manager to maximize the opportunity for feedback and funding program suggestions during project development meetings.
This form is not required. Maine: Send your Project Interest Form to BizAwards. DECD@maine.
gov . New Hampshire : Questions about the technical assistance website can be directed to New Hampshire State Program Manager, Ian Carmichael . New York: Send your Project Interest Form to New York’s NBRC Program Manager, Kyle Wilber .
Vermont: Send your project interest form to Vermont’s NBRC Program Manager, Kristie Farnham . 2026 Catalyst Program Overview 2026 Grant Programs User Manual Local Development Districts List & Assistance NBRC R esources Page for Grants Management Information Catalyst Program One Pager - Click to download a full-size PDF:
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: State governments, local governments, secondary and career technical centers, other political subdivisions of states, non-profit entities, and federally recognized Indian tribes. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Up to $1,000,000 for infrastructure projects; up to $500,000 for non-infrastructure projects Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is April 17, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.