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NatlEshipWeek Federal Office Hours with USDA Rural Development

Register Now! | Date & Time: February 14, 2024 @ 02:00 PM Eastern
Join the USDA RD Team to Learn About Resources and Funding for Rural Entrepreneurs

NatlEshipWeek offers a rich network of partners that engage, educate, and build equitable access to America's Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. www.natleshipweek.org

Funding

Funding Opportunities For Infrastructure

Community Connect Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Rural Development program that provides financial assistance to eligible applicants to provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service does not exist. The program is designed to stimulate economic development and enhanced educational and health care opportunities. Application Deadline: 2/20/2024

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT funding for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, community connectivity, economic competitiveness including tourism, and innovation. Application Deadline: 2/28/2024

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to provide funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Federal Register Notice. Contact your State Energy Coordinator. Application Deadline: Various through 9/30/2024

WaterSMART: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
The Department of Interior (DOI)
DOI Bureau of Reclamation has posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity for state, city, county, and local governments; nonprofits; and others to apply for grants of up to $5,000,000 to implement projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader sustainability benefits. Applications Deadline: 2/22/2024

Tech Hubs Program Phase 2
U.S. Economic Development Administration offer implementation grants to fund a wide range of non-construction and construction activities that aim to increase regional capacity to demonstrate, deploy, and commercialize innovative technology products and services across four broad categories: workforce development, business and entrepreneur development, technology maturation, and infrastructure. Application Deadline: 2/29/2024

Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program 
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Application Deadline: Open

Funding Opportunities Supporting Community and Economic Development

EPA Training/Technical Assistance for Safe Drinking Water in Small Public Water Systems
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA provides technical assistance to help communities identify water infrastructure needs, plan for capital improvements, maintain regulatory compliance, improve resiliency, build capacity, and apply for the range of eligible projects under various grant programs. TA is provided through direct interactions with water utilities and communities. Application Deadline: 2/2/2024

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI)
U.S. Department of Treasury
This program uses monetary awards and training opportunities to invest in and build the capacity of CDFIs, empowering them to grow, achieve organizational sustainability, and drive community revitalization. Application Deadline 2/15/2024

Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success for Communities, Local Governments, Universities, Colleges, and Tribes/Tribal Organizations and Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success for States
U.S. Health and Human Services
HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration programs designed to reduce the onset and progression of substance misuse, and its related problems, by supporting the development and delivery of relevant services. Application Deadlines: 2/21/2024

Rural Business Development Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this versatile program to support business opportunities or business enterprise projects in eligible rural areas. Uses may include establishing business support centers, financing job training or leadership development programs, the repair or modernization of buildings, creating feasibility studies, the purchase equipment to lease to small or emerging businesses, and much more. Contact your local office for assistance. Application Deadline: 2/28/2024

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Produce Prescription Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture support for projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables on the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption, the reduction of food insecurity, and the reduction in healthcare use and associated costs. Projects that serve tribal, rural, remote, and insular communities are a funding priority. Application Deadline: 2/28/2024

USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement offers this program to provide educational and career opportunities for applicants seeking bachelor's degrees from an 1890 Land Grant University. Application Deadline: 3/1/2024

Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement is accepting applications for the 2024 USDA E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program. These fellowships introduce faculty and staff from Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Hispanic-Serving School Districts USDA resources. Application Deadline: March 4, 2024

21st Century Museum Professionals Program
This grant program advances the growth and development of a diverse workforce of museum professionals. Application Deadline: 3/1/2024

Investments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative
Appalachian Regional Commission
This program addresses the disproportionate impact of the substance use disorder crisis on Appalachian communities and workforces. Application Deadline: 3/8/2024

Forest Corps
AmeriCorps NCCC and United States Forest Service will engage young adults this summer in wildland fire prevention, reforestation, and other natural and cultural resource management projects. Members will receive a compensation package equivalent to $15 an hour, including lodging, transportation, clothing, a living allowance, health benefit, and more. Application Deadline: Member 3/31/2024 | Team Leader 2/29/2024

Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development program to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters, and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas. Federal Register. Application Deadline: 4/1/2024

Value-Added Producer Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development grants help farmers and ranchers generate new products, create marketing opportunities, and increase their incomes through value-added activities. Federal Register. Application Deadline: Paper applications must be postmarked and delivered by mail, email or in person to the state office where the project is proposed by close of business on 4/16/2024 | via Grants.gov – 4/11/2024

Challenge America Grants
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
NEA offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines that extend the reach of the arts to groups/communities with rich and dynamic artistic and cultural contributions to share that are underserved. Application Deadline: 4/25/2024

Funding Opportunities for Tribal Communities

Technical Assistance and Resources for Tribal Nations · Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has updated its Resources and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations page. These updates were made to streamline EV resources for Tribes to offer a quick and efficient means to identifying the most relevant and timely EV funding opportunities and locating EV specific resources and project examples for tribal communities. Tribes can contact the Joint Office to request technical assistance with EV infrastructure, planning, and much more. They offer information about electric vehicles (EVs), access to technical assistance, featured resources, and links to funding opportunities available to tribal nations for electrified transportation. Also available: National EV Initiative for Tribal Nations and Tribal EV and Energy Storage Projects.

EV Charging Resources and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations Webinar Recording
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation offers this recorded webinar covering resources and technical assistance available to tribal nations for EV charging infrastructure projects.

Tribal Self-Governance Program Negotiation Cooperative Agreement
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
HHS Indian Health Service offer cooperative agreements that provide negotiation resources to tribes interested in participating in the Tribal Self-Governance Program. Application Deadline: 2/19/2024

Tribal Heritage Grants Program
U.S. Department of Interior
National Park Service funding that focuses on protecting oral histories, plant and animal species important in tradition, sacred and historic places, and enabling the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices. Application Deadline: 2/20/2024

Indigenous-Led Solutions to Advance Health Equity and Wellbeing
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
This program is designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people and generate approaches to improve health equity. Application Deadline: 3/1/2024

Native American Library Services Basic Grants
The Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS)
IMLS funding to assist tribes in improving core library services for their communities. Application Deadline: 3/1/2024

Native Hawaiian Library Services and Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants
The Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS)
IMLS grants to improve core library services for underserved communities. Application Deadline for both programs: 4/1/2024

Resources

Department of Transportation Maps Intercity Transportation in Rural Areas
The recently updated data resource provides information and an interactive map that shows the percentage of rural residents who have access to commercial air, intercity bus, or intercity rail transportation. Includes county-level data for the years 2006, 2012, 2018, and 2021. Depicts state-level transportation access data as well as demographic characteristics of rural areas.

Playbook: Workforce Investments that Work – A State and Local Guide to High-Quality, Equitable Workforce Development This guide offers workforce strategies to develop a skilled, diverse workforce within state and local governments.

The Recovery-to-Work Ecosystem Builders Guide
The Development District Association of Appalachia produced an interactive toolkit for community practitioners interested in coordinating regional stakeholders, engaging employers, and providing support to businesses and workers in Substance-use-Disorders recovery.

Case Studies: Centering Equity in Community-Based E-Mobility Projects
Argonne National Laboratory led the development of five case studies on projects that centered equity in community-based e-mobility projects for the Joint Office United Support for Transportation Lab Consortium. They describe projects designed to reduce air pollution, improve public health, increase affordable mobility options, and create educational and economic opportunities for residents.

Electric Vehicle Program Designs and Strategies to Enhance Equitable Deployment
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory authored this report for the Joint Office, which synthesizes and categorizes information from more than five dozen sources published between 2015 and 2023—including national, regional, and state-level EVSE program summaries, as well as updates, policy briefs, proposals, whitepapers, and reports.

USDA RD Success Story

USDA RD is Creating Opportunities through Rural Engagement (CORE) in The Heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley This school district is connected to the communities it serves and often fills a community champion role, ensuring that voices are heard, and important connections are made. “We don’t have a city to organize activities or opportunities,” said Yolanda Valdez, superintendent of the Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District. “Basically, the school system is everything to everybody.” USDA Rural Development held a series of listening sessions to meet with leaders and residents of high need communities, through its targeted CORE program. The engagement led to applications for assistance and awards to the school district for nearly $1.32 million in nine projects through USDA RD’s Community Facilities program…Read More…. For questions or to learn more about CORE, email sm.rd.core@usda.gov.

PREPARE NOW! 1/24 | Virtual: USDA RD ReConnect Program Webinar: Round 5 Preparing to Apply. 1pm Eastern. Rural Utilities Service will provide program information and help prepare applicants ahead of the next Notice of Funding Opportunity. ReConnect website. Check the Events Page for future workshops and recordings.

Through the 1/25 | Virtual: America's Seed Fund Week-Opportunity for startups and small businesses to learn about the $4 billion non-dilutive funding available through SBIR/STTR programs. Agency Resources. Future Road Tour Schedule.

2/15-16 | Arlington, VA & Virtual: USDA's 100th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum: "Cultivating the Future" USDA offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest trends and developments in agriculture from leading experts and industry professionals, while also networking with key players in the industry.

1/31 | Virtual: Support Innovation Ecosystem Building Across the Country-A deep-dive into the tech themes with experts from relevant federal agencies: A webinar by America’s Seed Fund for their Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.

1/31 | Virtual: Aspen Institute Seminar: What’s in it for rural? Accessing rural resources in the IIJA, CHIPs, and IRA.

2/1 | Virtual: The American Climate Corps team is hosting virtual listening sessions to hear your ideas about how to shape this historic, groundbreaking initiative. Join special guests and the American Climate Corps team to share your thoughts about how to make the American Climate Corps a success.

2/8 | Virtual: USDA RD offers “A Case Study of Commongrounds Cooperative” a “Meet Now” event at 2:00-3:30 pm Eastern Time via Microsoft Teams. UDSA RD Rural Business-Cooperative Service Branch will dive into the capitalization of a mixed use (commercial and residential) facility. Click here: Microsoft Teams “Meet Now”. ID: 273 985 683 368-Passcode: g3GtoY | or call in at +1 202-650-0123, ID: 438 277 888#. Event does not open until the time of the event.

2/27-29 | Reno, Nevada: ReConnect Round 5 Application Workshop - USDA RD’s Rural Utilities Service provides a three-day workshop for those interested in applying for ReConnect Program funding which offers loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America without sufficient access to broadband. Check the Events Page for future workshops.

2/26-28 |Temecula, CA: 2024 Tribal Clean Energy Summit-Tribal leaders, staff, and partners to come together to build networks, exchange ideas, and explore clean energy solutions that support Tribal energy sovereignty.

3/10-3/13 | Arlington, VA: Development District Association of Appalachia Annual Conference

​Contacts/Subscription

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDARD/bulletins/380c4e3USDA Rural Development Quick Links:

• USDA Rural Development’s full Catalog of Programs
• USDA Rural Development's NOSA/NOFAs
• USDA Rural Development’s Search All Programs
• USDA Rural Development Resource Guides
• USDA Rural Development’s Rural Data Gateway
• USDA Rural Development Blogs
• View the Prior Edition of Innovation Matters

Websites and hyperlinks provided are for reference only. USDA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies, or applications.

USDA Rural Development Innovation Center

Email: rd.innovation@usda.gov | Webpage: usda.gov/rdinnovation

www.rd.usda.gov

Sign up to receive Innovation Matters from the USDA Rural Development Innovation Center.

NOTE: Websites and hyperlinks provided are for reference only. USDA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies, or applications.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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