Rural Development Grants

Regional Partnership Grant Program is sponsored by Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). This grant program, part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), enables eligible providers to participate in collaborative arrangements that promote preventive health care, enhance rural providers' efficiency and sustainability, attract and retain a highly-skilled health care workforce, spark growth of value-based care models, and foster the use of innovative technologies. Non-emergency medical transportation initiatives that are part of a broader regional partnership to improve rural health access would be a strong fit.

Transformative Capital Investment Grant Program (CAP) (Year 2) is sponsored by Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The CAP grant makes funding available to help providers invest in transforming how they serve their communities. This could include investments in infrastructure or equipment that supports non-emergency medical transportation to improve rural health access. The program is part of the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) - North Carolina Rural Health Innovation Fund is sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) / North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT). This fund supports North Carolina's rural health providers in modernizing their infrastructure. Eligible projects include expanding telehealth, upgrading electronic health records, strengthening cybersecurity protections for health information, and adopting technology for informed care decisions. It aims to help rural providers leverage innovative technologies for better care.

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II is sponsored by National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA). Phase II funding for prior USDA SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees to advance R&D toward commercialization in agriculture, food, rural development, biofuels, and related areas. Supports scientific excellence and commercial application.

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II (SBIR/STTR) is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs support scientific excellence and technological innovation in the private sector, including in agriculture. Small businesses can engage in research and development with the potential for commercialization. The STTR program specifically stimulates cooperative partnerships between small businesses and research institutions.

Texas Community Development Block Grant Program (TxCDBG) is sponsored by Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). The TxCDBG program aims to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities primarily for low- to moderate-income persons. While a broad community development program, housing activities are a key component, which could potentially include projects that support tenant organizing through community improvement initiatives.

Innovation Grants Program (AgTech Alliance) is sponsored by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) / California AgTech Alliance. Provides service vouchers to help agricultural technology startups test, validate, and commercialize new tech solutions under real-world conditions. Funds cover access to specialized private farms, research centers, laboratories, and expert technical advisors.

Capital Connect Program is sponsored by Economic Development New Mexico (EDNM) Infrastructure Program (funded by U.S. Department of the Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative - SSBCI). This program provides free financial consulting and coaching services to for-profit small businesses across New Mexico to help them become "capital ready." It focuses on very small (fewer than ten employees), minority-owned, rural businesses.

Tennessee Nonpoint Source Program (319 Program) is sponsored by Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA). This program provides funding for projects that address nonpoint source pollution and improve or protect water quality across Tennessee. Priority is given to projects targeting waters identified as impaired by NPS on Tennessee's most recent list of impaired waters.

Texas Rural Health Transformation Program: Maternal Care is sponsored by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This initiative, part of Texas's larger Rural Health Transformation Program, focuses on maternal care through the Lone Star Advanced AI and Telehealth initiative. It funds rural provider networks that bring in specialty providers to deliver telehealth, including maternal care. Small businesses offering maternal health technology solutions via telehealth to rural networks would be relevant partners.

NIFA AFRI Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems AI Program is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program area A1541 Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems (DSFAS) funds research at the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence, and agriculture.

Joint National Science Foundation and United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Funding Opportunity: Supporting Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR) is sponsored by NSF and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This is a joint NSF-USDA collaboration to advance foundational research in agricultural robotics, inviting proposals for pioneering robots with transformative potential in agricultural contexts.

CyberOhio Water Cybersecurity Grant is sponsored by Ohio Department of Administrative Services, CyberOhio. The Cybersecurity Water Protection Grant supports projects that improve cybersecurity for water and wastewater systems in Ohio. This includes upgrades to operational technology (OT), ICS/SCADA protections, monitoring, logging, incident response planning, and other resilience-focused improvements. Priority is given to Local Government Entities (LGEs) in Ohio's rural communities (populations under 50,000).

Southern SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant is a program from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (USDA) that funds individual farmers, ranchers, and groups of producers in the southern United States to conduct on-farm research and education projects advancing sustainable agriculture practices. Awards of up to $20,000 support producer-led experiments, demonstrations, and outreach that benefit the farming community. Eligible applicants include individual farmers and ranchers or groups of producers across southern states, including Kentucky. Applications are submitted through the SARE Grant Management System following the annual Call for Proposals; the current deadline is December 5, 2026. Proposals are reviewed by regional administrative council committees.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USDA-FS). This program provides funding for the fee simple acquisition of threatened private forest lands at least five acres in size within portions of the Lake Superior Basin of Michigan and Wisconsin.

Pilot Research Grant is sponsored by Emergency Medicine Foundation. This grant provides starter funding for preliminary studies in emergency care research, encouraging projects that will eventually impact emergency care. It supports clinical, translational, and basic science researchers and encourages partnerships between research universities and community emergency departments. Focus areas include measurable improvements in patient care, workforce/policy/systems readiness, anticipation of healthcare delivery changes, rural and urban underserved settings, or basic science and translational research connected to improved patient care.

Packaging Innovation Program is sponsored by Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) with Clemson University and the Foundation for Fresh Produce. This program funds research and innovation in sustainable packaging for U. S. specialty crop exports. It addresses global regulatory changes and supports the commercialization of reusable or packaging-free solutions.

Disaster Assistance Fund Guidance - Community Facilities is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. Provides funding for community facilities in areas affected by a disaster declared by the President, Secretary of Agriculture, or Governor. This program is part of USDA's Community Facilities Programs, which offer direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants for public service buildings to improve quality of life and sustain rural America.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science (FAS) Program provides $300 million in total funding for integrated research, education, and extension projects across six priority areas: Plant Health and Production, Animal Health and Production, Food Safety and Nutrition, Bioenergy and Natural Resources, Agriculture Systems and Technology, and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. The Agriculture Systems and Technology priority area specifically supports advanced technologies including AI, precision agriculture, robotics, sensor systems, and data-driven decision-making in farming and food systems. Awards range from $10,000 to $10,000,000 with most falling in the $500,000 to $750,000 range. The program supports both fundamental and applied research that advances agricultural innovation through emerging technologies. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through December 31, 2026.

AFRI Education and Workforce Development Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program supports projects that strengthen the pipeline of future professionals in the food and agricultural sciences, with a focus on education, training, and workforce capacity building. While primarily for the U.S., it can be relevant for collaborations.

USDA AFRI Education and Workforce Development Grants is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This funding opportunity supports projects that strengthen the pipeline of future professionals in the food and agricultural sciences, with a focus on education, training, and workforce capacity building. This can include non-formal youth education in food and agriculture.

Diseases of Agricultural Animals (part of Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's Foundational and Applied Science program) is sponsored by National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program supports projects that develop strategies to understand, diagnose, control, and prevent agricultural animal diseases. Outcomes include, but are not limited to, new and improved vaccines and diagnostics.

The NSF and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) have issued a joint Dear Colleague Letter inviting proposals for foundational research in agricultural robotics through the FRR program. This collaboration aims to advance robotics with transformative potential in agricultural contexts, addressing critical needs in farming, crop management, livestock systems, and agricultural sciences. Proposals must present a compelling vision for pioneering robots in agriculture and be clearly justified by important agricultural needs. The program leverages NSF's robotics research expertise with NIFA's agricultural domain knowledge to accelerate innovation in farm automation, autonomous field operations, and intelligent agricultural systems. Awards range from $174,000 to $5,000,000 with rolling submissions.

Rural Communities Health Care Investment Program (RCHIP) is sponsored by Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas State Office of Rural Health (SORH). Utilizes state tobacco settlement endowment funds to assist rural communities in recruiting and retaining non-physician healthcare professionals to practice in medically underserved areas (MUAs) with total populations of 50,000 or less.

WA State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Food Assistance (FA) Resiliency Grants Program is sponsored by Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). This program offers grants to hunger relief organizations across Washington to address critical needs and support access to nutritious food. While directly for organizations, it supports services for individuals.

Media Arts Assistance Fund (MAAF) is sponsored by New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) / Wave Farm. Provides support for the completion and/or public presentation of new or recently completed moving image art, including documentary films. Designed to advance artistic exploration, public engagement, and audience reach in the media arts.

NYSCA/Wave Farm: Media Arts Assistance Fund (MAAF) for Artists is sponsored by Wave Farm (in partnership with the New York State Council on the Arts - NYSCA). Provides support to individual artists residing in New York State for the completion, public presentation, or distribution of new or recently completed moving image works, sound art, and emergent technology projects.

Tenant and Housing Justice Grant is sponsored by Social Justice Fund Northwest (SJF). This grant is open to grassroots organizations working on tenant and housing justice organizing in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and/or Wyoming. It seeks to support organizations working to undo and/or create alternative solutions to exploitative housing systems which were built and are sustained by capitalism, colonialism, classism, racism, xenophobia, and ableism. SJF prioritizes BIPOC-led, rural, and small-town groups with smaller annual budgets that build collective tenant power and pursue systemic change.

Rural Health Network Development Program (HRSA-27-051) is sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This program supports integrated health care networks that address the health care needs of targeted rural communities. Applicants can choose between two tracts: Network Advancement (for established networks of independent rural hospitals and clinics to strengthen operations and build new lines of care through integrated collaboration) or Network Development (for early-stage integrated rural health care networks to plan, develop, and carry out targeted operational or clinical service expansion activities). Both tracts aim to expand access to care, improve coordination and quality, strengthen health outcomes, increase efficiency, and support a stronger rural health care system.

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) - Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health (Forecast) is sponsored by HHS Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This is a forecasted opportunity to support domestic entities, including state, local, tribal governments, school districts, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits, for services in HRSA-designated rural areas related to child and adolescent behavioral health.

Rural Health Care Program - FY2027 is sponsored by Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This program provides discounts on eligible telecommunications and broadband services for eligible rural health care providers. Small businesses that offer telehealth or connected-care platforms relying on supported connectivity can be part of a deployment plan for providers.

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health (RCORP-CABH) is sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This program aims to establish and expand sustainable behavioral health care services for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who live in rural communities. It supports the President's National Mental Health Strategy, the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Overdose Prevention Strategy.

Intergenerational neighbourhoods and communities aligned with the New European Bauhaus is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Health, Culture, creativity and inclusive society, Civil Security for Society, Digital, Industry and Space, Climate, Energy and Mobility, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Capital Projects Fund is sponsored by U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Capital Projects Fund (CPF) provides funding to states, territories, freely associated states, and Tribal governments for capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring in response to public health emergencies. These funds address critical needs, particularly in rural, Tribal, and low- to moderate-income communities, by investing in modern infrastructure, including broadband, to access critical services. Eligible projects must invest in capital assets designed to directly enable work, education, and health monitoring, address a critical need resulting from or exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency, and address a critical community need.

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation – Main Street Momentum Grant is sponsored by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation (in partnership with Main Street Oakland County). A one-time grant opportunity for eligible rural Main Street communities in Oakland County designed to enhance rural downtowns as gathering hubs, grow local capacity, and support small businesses.

Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) is sponsored by New York State Department of Health. PREP is a community-based initiative that educates youth aged 10-19 on both abstinence and contraception through evidence-based programs that also include adult preparation topics. The initiative is funded by federal Title V funds awarded to the NYSDOH.

RurAL CAP Foundation Community-Driven Projects is sponsored by RurAL CAP Foundation. The RurAL CAP Foundation funds community-driven projects in rural Alaska through small grant awards. They provide rural Alaskan nonprofits and governmental agencies with funding opportunities to support rural Alaska community development. Focus areas align with RurAL CAP's programs in housing, early childhood education, health, and well-being.