Rural Gateway Programs and Funding Opportunities

National Endowment for the Arts: Our Town Grant

Through project-based funding, the program supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities. Applications due August 4, 2022

US Economic Development Administration: Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments Programs

This NOFO funds two distinct programs, both of which are described in more detail below, and designed to support underserved communities and populations across the country in developing successful economic development plans and projects. The Economic Recovery Corps program will add staff resources to local organizations focused on improving economic resilience and competitiveness in distressed regions across the country. The Equity Impact Investments program will provide technical assistance to enable organizations serving underserved populations and communities to participate in economic development planning and projects. EDA seeks collaborative and innovative partners to build and launch these new initiatives. We welcome different perspectives and approaches, so please share this opportunity with your networks! BUILDING AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY CORPS (NOFO pages 4-8) Applications due August 5, 2022.

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

The IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) can help dedicated health professionals like you chart a course for a long-lasting and successful health care career. The LRP funds IHS clinicians to repay their eligible health profession education loans — up to $40,000 — in exchange for an initial two-year service commitment to practice in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Applications due August 15, 2022.

Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge

USDA is making available up to $4 million in cooperative agreement funds under the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC) for eligible entities to help provide planning support, technical assistance and training to foster placemaking activities in rural communities. Qualified entities can use the funds to help rural communities create plans to enhance capacity for broadband access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support the development of transportation, housing, and recreational spaces. Applications due August 15, 2022.

EPA Training/Technical Assistance for Rural Wastewater Treatement

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications to provide training and technical assistance to rural, small, and tribal municipalities, publicly owned wastewater treatment works, and decentralized wastewater treatment systems for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. Eligible activities include training and technical assistance only. Infrastructure construction projects such as repairing water or sewer lines, adding new equipment, or upgrading, retrofitting, or rehabilitating existing equipment are not eligible for funding under this announcement. Applications due August 22, 2022

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program Department of Housing and Urban Development

$10.4 million in grant funding to modify or rehabilitate eligible veterans' primary residences. Eligible applicants for the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program (VHRMP) are nonprofit organizations that provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals. Applications due August 24, 2022

USDA Capacity Building for Historically Black 1890 Land-Grant Institutions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make 60 awards of up to $750,000 each for research and teaching at historically black universities that are 1890 Land Grant Institutions supporting agriculture and rural entrepreneurship Applications due August 31, 2022

NTIA Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure

The Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program provides funding for this vital part of our nation's high-speed network. With $1 billion in funding, the program will reduce the cost of bringing high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities. Applications due September 30, 2022

Continuum of Care Supplemental to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness

This Special NOFO to Address Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness (Special NOFO) is designed to provide new funds dedicated to serving highly vulnerable individuals and families with histories of unsheltered homelessness. Applications due October 20, 2022.

Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive Grant Program

ONAP has released the FY 2022 Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Awards will range from $500,000 to $7,500,000. Applications due November 17, 2022.

Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program

The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Statewide Planning, Research and Networks

Building back better means investing in projects that will promote equity and develop local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks and climate change. Through the Statewide Planning, Research & Networks program, EDA is supporting states in planning efforts by allocating $59 million for Statewide Planning Grants. Application due 45 days after receiving invitation.

Coal Communities

EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment allocates $300 million of its $3 billion ARP appropriation to support coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and to help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. Specifically, EDA will dedicate $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) funds to directly support coal communities.

Dept. of Agriculture - Rural Development

USDA Rural Development is making the grants available under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Eligible applicants are organizations seeking to provide rural communities with training and technical assistance to improve transportation services and facilities. USDA does not provide funding directly to individuals under this program. Applications will be scored, reviewed, and selected on a competitive basis. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Dept. of Agriculture - Rural Development - Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees

USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees. This program offers financial assistance to eligible service providers that will construct, improve, or expand telecommunication and broadband networks in rural areas. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program

Selected health care organizations and their communities receive nearly $250,000 per year in technical assistance (TA) to help leaders and providers transition to value-based care and prepare for population health management. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.