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Rural Business Development Grant Program

ID: RDBCP-RBDG-2026 • Type: Posted
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Description

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.

Background
The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program is administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), a part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program aims to promote economic development and job creation in rural areas through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities.

The total funding available for FY 2026 is approximately $27.7 million, with applications competing in two categories: business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants.

Grant Details
The RBDG Program supports projects that advance domestic manufacturing, energy production, and new markets for American farmers. Eligible projects must comply with specific uses as outlined in 7 CFR 4280.417(a)(1) for business opportunity projects and 7 CFR 4280.417(a)(2) for business enterprise projects.

Awards will be made on a competitive basis using selection criteria from 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E. There are no minimum or maximum award amounts; however, smaller requests may receive priority points.

The performance period for funded projects is from June 1, 2026, through September 30, 2028.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include public bodies/government entities, Indian Tribes, or nonprofit entities primarily serving rural areas. Applicants must not be delinquent on any federal debt and must not be debarred or suspended from participation in USDA programs.

There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements, although leveraging additional funds may earn priority points.

Period of Performance
The performance period for the grant is from June 1, 2026, to September 30, 2028.

Grant Value
The total value of the grant program is approximately $27.7 million for FY 2026. There are no specified minimum or maximum award amounts.

Place of Performance
The grants will be performed in rural areas across the United States as determined by the location of the applicant's project.
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Overview

Agency
Rural Business Cooperative Services (RBCS) [USDA - RHS - HQ]
Category of Funding
Business and Commerce
Funding Instruments
Grant
Grant Program (CFDA)
10.351 - Rural Business Development Grant
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 5/15/26 Rural Business Cooperative Services posted grant opportunity RDBCP-RBDG-2026 for Rural Business Development Grant Program with funding of $27.7 million. The grant will be issued under grant program 10.351 Rural Business Development Grant. It is expected that 450 total grants will be made.

Timing

Posted Date
May 15, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
June 30, 2026, 12:00 a.m. EDT Due in 36 Days
Closing Date Explanation
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.
Last Updated
May 18, 2026, 12:13 p.m. EDT
Version
4
Archive Date
July 30, 2026

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
County governments
Special district governments
City or township governments
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
State governments
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Additional Info
Rural public entities including, but not limited to: Towns, Communities, State agencies, Authorities, Nonprofit corporations, Institutions of higher education, Federally-recognized tribes, Rural cooperatives (if organized as a private nonprofit corporation).This program is only open to a Public Body/Government Entity, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or a Nonprofit entity serving rural areas. For profit entities, individuals and individual businesses are not eligible to receive grants under this program.

Award Sizing

Ceiling
Not Listed
Floor
Not Listed
Estimated Program Funding
$27,700,000
Estimated Number of Grants
450

Contacts

Contact
Cindy Mason Loan Specialist
Contact Email
rachel.reister@usda.gov   Profile
Email Description
RBDG Program Contact
Contact Phone
(202) 690-1433
Additional Information
Link to Program Web Site
Additional Information Site
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-business-development-grants

Documents

Posted documents for RDBCP-RBDG-2026

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