Rural Microentrepreneur Program(RMAP)

Background
The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) is administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), a part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program aims to support the development and ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises by providing loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs). The goal of RMAP is to facilitate access to capital for microenterprise startups and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.

Grant Details
RMAP provides various types of support including:
1) Loans only;
2) Combination loans and technical assistance grants;
3) Subsequent technical assistance grants to MDOs.

Loan funds are utilized by MDOs to establish or recapitalize a revolving loan program for making microloans to rural microentrepreneurs. Grant funds are used by MDOs to provide technical assistance and entrepreneurship training. The annual microlender technical assistance grant will be awarded non-competitively based on the microlender’s microlending activity, with eligibility determined by the outstanding balance of microloans as of June 30, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include domestic organizations that are non-profit entities, Indian Tribes, or public institutions of higher education. Applicants must provide training and technical assistance, make microloans, or have an effective plan to deliver such services. They must not be debarred or suspended from USDA programs, nor delinquent on any federal debt. Additionally, MDOs must provide a match of at least 15% of the total grant amount in matching funds, indirect costs, or in-kind goods/services.

Period of Performance
The performance period for subsequent annual microlender technical assistance grants is from September 30, 2026, to June 30, 2026. Applications for quarterly funding competitions are due no later than September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30 each year.

Grant Value
Funding for FY 2026 is approximately $21 million. The maximum anticipated award amounts are $500,000 for loans and $100,000 for grants.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic locations for performance are implied to be rural areas where the MDOs operate.