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Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Program is sponsored by USDA Rural Development. The RISE program funds community-driven programs that create high-wage jobs and new businesses in underserved rural communities. While not exclusively for women-owned businesses, it supports economic development in rural areas which can include opportunities for female founders.
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Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants – US Ignite Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grants – US Ignite Data Standards & Policies US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business- Cooperative Service RFP Summary provided by the agency The RISE Grant Program meets a recognized need for federal support of jobs accelerator partnerships for the promotion of private investment in regional economies.
The flexible use of funds by RISE grant recipients allows a region to leverage their community assets by assisting new and existing industry, establish and operate innovation centers for job development and training, including through the use of new or improved broadband service by jobs accelerators.
The RISE program will improve the ability of rural communities to create high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of rural businesses, and strengthen regional economies. The RISE project must serve a rural region small enough to allow close collaboration among partners. It also must include essential elements of the region’s prioritized industry cluster (concentrations of related industries).
RISE grant funds can be used to: Build or support a business incubator facility Provide worker training to assist in the creation of new jobs Train the existing workforce with skills for higher-paying jobs Develop a base of skilled workers and improve their opportunities to obtain high-wage jobs in new or existing local industries The RBCS Administrator may award points to projects that will advance the key priorities, learn more at Rural Developments Key Priorities .
Frequently Asked Questions http://www. rd. usda.
gov/sites/default/files/risefrequentlyaskedquestions. pdf Before You Apply https://www. rd.
usda. gov/sites/default/files/notice_please_read_prior_to_filing_rise. docx What is the mission and focus of the program: research, social, economic or others?
Economic, Workforce Development How do you submit to this opportunity? Interested applicants are encouraged to review the materials, including application deadlines, found in the Notice of Funding Availability. Applications are submitted through https://www.
grants. gov . Who are the target applicants: cities, universities, companies, small business, nonprofits, or others?
Eligible applicants are rural jobs accelerator partnerships with expertise in delivering economic and job training programs, consisting of the following: Institutions of higher education We’re here to help and advise.
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
How will the project build or support a business incubator facility?
How will the project provide worker training to create new jobs?
How will the project develop a base of skilled workers for high-wage jobs?
How does the project align with USDA Rural Development Key Priorities?
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Partnerships of local governments, investors, industry, institutions of higher education, and other public and private entities in rural areas. Projects must benefit small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $500,000 - $2,000,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was April 1, 2024, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Program is funded by USDA Rural Development. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
The solicitation lists 2 required documents: Application via grants.gov and Notice of Funding Availability materials. Check the official notice for formatting and page-limit rules.
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