Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant

Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. Provides funding for predevelopment feasibility studies and technical assistance for water and waste disposal projects in rural communities, with opportunities for youth involvement.

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF To make predevelopment planning grants for feasibility studies, design assistance, and technical assistance to financially distressed communities in rural areas with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and waste disposal projects.

**Fiscal Year 2025:** Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects; Preliminary design and engineering analysis; and technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance. This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - CN Rural Community Development _These funding amounts do not reflect the award amounts that are displayed on USASpending. gov_ **This listing is funded for the current fiscal year. ** This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

**Fiscal Year 2025:** Twenty-five borrowers were awarded funding for feasibility studies, design assistance, and technical assistance to financially distressed communities for water and waste disposal projects. Evidence of organizational and legal capacity, financial standing, eligible service area, and eligible project. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government, Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages), Applicants must be (1) public bodies or governmental entities such as states, municipalities, counties, districts, authorities, and other political subdivisions of a State; (2) nonprofit organizations such as associations, cooperatives, private nonprofit corporations, and institutions of higher education and hospitals; or, (3) Native American Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations, other federally recognized Indian tribes, and Native American Organizations (includes Indian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, and associations.

Applicants must demonstrate that they are financially distressed and unable to fund the project through their own means. Public nonprofit institution/organization, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments Beneficiary eligibility is the same as applicant eligibility. Beneficiaries are the entities or organizations eligible to develop projects under the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.

Eligible entities include (1) public bodies or governmental entities such as municipalities, counties, districts, authorities, and other political subdivisions of a State, (2) nonprofit organizations such as associations, cooperatives, and private nonprofit corporations, (3) Native American Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other federally recognized Indian tribes.

Architectural and Engineering May fund up to 100 percent of the eligible grant costs, not to exceed $30,000. Architectural and Engineering Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E. O. 12372.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Opportunity Posted Location: Other Application Procedures Location: URL Projects will be selected based primarily on the funding priorities in Section 1780. 17 of RUS Instruction 1780.

The State Program Official discretionary points stated in Section 1780. 17 (e) of RUS Instruction 1780 can also include consideration of the following criteria: (a) Systems with limited resources. (b) Smallest systems with lowest incomes.

(c) Funds availability. Selected applicant(s) will be notified by Form AD-622. Dependent upon funding and whether the application is considered complete.

A determination on a complete application will be made within 15 federal working days. If complete, an eligibility and funding determination will be issued within 45 working days. An application determined ineligible may request a review of this decision with the National Appeals Division of USDA in accordance with USDA regulations at 7 CFR 11.

The following 2CFR policy requirements apply to this assistance listing: Subpart B, General provisions Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements Subpart E, Cost Principles Subpart F, Audit Requirements The following 2CFR policy requirements are excluded from coverage under this assistance listing: **Progress/Performance Reports :**In accordance with 7 CFR 1780.

47. , Frequency: Determined at Time of Award Required to maintain records and accounts to assure funds are used for authorized purposes in accordance with 2 CFR 200. 334.

Retention Period: 3 Years **Guidelines and Information:** Domestic Assistance Program that uses Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA): https://www. rd. usda.

gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/search-special-evaluation-assistance-rural-communities-and-households-grant#overview (opens in new window) (opens in new window)") Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) **To:**Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) **From:**Part 1774 � Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Program (SEARCH) Part 1774 � Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Program (SEARCH) PART 1774 – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Program (SEARCH)