Funding Opportunities, Resources, Events and Learning: Innovation Matters

USDA Rural Development sent this bulletin at 07/22/2026 07:08 AM EDT

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Funding

Funding Opportunities Supporting
Community and Economic Development

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program–Phase 4
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development designed this program to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency. Application deadline: 8/7/2026

Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development designed this program to expand, or bring into operation new, independent domestic fertilizer production capacity in order to provide agricultural producers with additional domestic fertilizer options and strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain. Application deadline: 8/17/2026

Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders for loans to eligible rural businesses. Application deadline: Accepted from lenders year-round.

Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage and solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Application deadline: Open

Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program
Health Resources & Services Administration
A federally funded initiative that offers comprehensive technical assistance to rural hospitals to address financial and operational challenges and maintain essential health services for their communities. Application Deadline: 9/30/2026

Funding Opportunities for Infrastructure

Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to eligible lenders to develop essential community facilities (CF) in rural areas. Examples of community facilities include health care facilities, buildings like town halls, and public safety facilities such as fire departments. Application deadline: Open

Electric Infrastructure Loan & Loan Guarantee Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides insured loans and loan guarantees to nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. Insured loans primarily finance the construction of electric distribution facilities in rural areas. Application deadline: Open

Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers financial assistance to eligible service providers that will construct, improve, or expand telecommunication and broadband networks in rural areas. Application deadline: Open

Timber Production and Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides financial support to qualified lenders whose loan applicants want to establish, reopen, expand, or improve a sawmill or other wood processing facility that process ecosystem restoration byproducts from USDA Forest Service National Forest System lands. Application deadline: Accepted until funds are expended.

Water & Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development helps private lenders provide affordable financing to qualified borrowers to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems in rural areas. Application Deadline: Open

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Funding Opportunities for Tribal Communities

USDA Rural Development’s Tribal Relations web page offers a calendar of events, funding opportunities, news releases, success stories, and more!

Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this program to help remote Alaskan villages provide safe, reliable drinking water and waste-disposal systems for households and businesses. Application deadline: Open

Native CDFI Relending Demonstration Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides mortgage lending capital to Native CDFIs through a 33-year loan at one percent interest, with a three-year payment deferral at loan onset. The program is designed to improve homeownership opportunities for Native American Tribes, Alaska Native Communities, and Native Hawaiian Communities in rural areas. Application deadline:8/14/2026

Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants to Alleviate Health Risks on Tribal Lands
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development helps get safe, reliable drinking water and waste-disposal services to low-income communities that face significant health risks. Application deadline: Open

Tribal Transit Competitive Program
Department of Transportation
DOT Federal Highway Administration provides funds for planning, public transportation capital projects, operating costs, job access reverse commute projects, and the acquisition of public transportation service to tribes located in rural areas. Application deadline:8/25/2026

Resources

Rural Development Rural Philanthropy Project Explore the impact of philanthropic organizations in rural communities, with the goal of understanding how much and where philanthropic grantmaking resources are located across the country. The written report provides a foundation for understanding RD’s ongoing work developing partnerships with philanthropic organizations. The online StoryMap is a user-focused tool for exploring and interacting with the research and data at a community level.

Rural Data Gateway's Lender Lens The Lender Lens is a series of data visualizations that enhance transparency and visibility into the USDA's Commercial Guaranteed Loan portfolio. Watch Public Webinar

DOE Tribal Pathways in Nuclear Energy | Aug. 13, 2026 The webinar will provide Tribes with an overview of civilian nuclear energy technologies, uses, and the opportunities and considerations they present for Tribal communities. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of nuclear energy, emerging technologies such as small modular and micro reactors, Tribal community perspectives, and DOE support. The webinar will feature speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, and Tribes.

DOE Energy Efficiency Measures on Tribal Facilities | Sep. 10, 2026 The webinar will explore how Tribal communities are integrating energy efficiency measures (EEMs) into new and existing buildings to achieve cost and energy savings. Hear directly from two Tribes that have successfully implemented EEMs across multiple facilities, gaining insights from their experiences and lessons learned. This webinar will cover various types of EEMs, aiding in the evaluation of their potential suitability for your Tribe's facilities.

USDA Rural Development Success Story

New Police Station Strengthens Safety and Community Partnerships

Community Facilities, First Responders

The City of Batavia reached a transformative milestone with the recent grand opening of their new state-of-the-art police station. This was a project made possible through $12.5 million in critical support from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Community Facilities program. For years, the city’s police department operated out of an aging facility that no longer met modern standards for safety, accessibility, or operational efficiency. Space limitations, outdated infrastructure, and rising community needs underscored the urgency for a new, purpose‑built facility that could support both current demands and long‑term public safety goals.

Events / Learning

September 1-3, 2026 | HUD's National Tribal Housing Summit

The Summit will provide a forum for training, exchanging ideas, and developing best practices for models that implement and sustain effective affordable housing programs under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). Register Now

September 9-10, 2026 | Montana Rural Impact Forum

Federal programs, partnerships, and pathways for thriving communities of all sizes. Connect face-to-face with federal partners for insight, guidance, and clear pathways to bring your local initiatives to life. Register Now