business_and_commerce · USDA-RBCS
Rural Business Development Grant Program
Rural Business-Cooperative Service · RDBCP-RBDG-2026
Total Program Funding
$27.7M
Expected Awards
450
Deadline
June 30, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
Rural Business Development Grant Program. Rural Business-Cooperative Service . The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding... $27,700,000 total program funding; ~450 awards expected.
Who Should Apply
County governments, Special district governments, State governments, City/township governments, Federally Recognized Native American Tribal Governments (+2 more)
Who Should NOT Apply
Organizations not matching the eligible applicant types listed above
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Rural public entities including, but not limited to: Towns, Communities, State agencies, Authorities, Nonprofit corporations, Institutions of highe...
- •Deadline: 2026-06-30
💡 GrantQuick Tip
Clearly demonstrate alignment with funding priorities and provide measurable outcomes.
Competitiveness: Moderate — many awards available but still competitive
What This Grant Funds
The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities.
Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various
business and community projects that serve rural areas.
Attachments
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Total Program Funding
- $27.7M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 450
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- grant
Key Dates
Please note the RBDG notice has two closing dates for different program types. The first closing date is June 15, 2026 and is applicable only to SECD applications. The second closing date is for the remainder of the applications and it is June 30, 2026. Please note, SECD applications also require a specific SECD application in addition to the traditional RBDG application. All complete applications must be submitted in Grants.gov or to a local USDA RD office by 4:30 p.m. local time on the application due date. Late submissions will not be considered.
Agency Contact
Rachel Reister Loan & Grant Analyst Rachel.Reister@usda.gov
Rachel.Reister@usda.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov