U.S. Department of Agriculture: Key Grant Programs

Agency Description

Rural productivity, prosperity, and quality of life are all priorities of the Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To better support the 19 percent of Americans living in rural areas, collaborative investments in modernized critical infrastructure must take precedence to meet these priorities.

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Agriculture are sharing their commitment to the historic revitalization of rural transportation systems’ accessibility, safety, and efficiency.

USDA’s offices of Rural Development (RD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have provided opportunities to fund capital projects that showcase the sustainability of multimodal goods and services, promoting the endurance of our rural transportation systems—as well as the people who use them.

Discretionary Grant Programs

Below are brief descriptions of USDA grant programs.

For more information on these opportunities, follow the links in each description, which lead to individual grant program pages in the Grant Applicant Toolkit’s DOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard, where you can search federal grant opportunities at USDOT and other federal agencies that can aid communities in meeting their transportation infrastructure needs.

Community Facilities Grant Program

The Community Facilities Grant Program supports the development of non-commercial facilities providing essential services to primarily rural areas.

Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard’s Community Facilities Grant Program page.

Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program

The Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program funds the development of essential community facilities in financially distressed, high-unemployment rural areas and may be combined with other grants.

Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard’s Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program page.

Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP)

The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) funds capital improvements and equipment purchases which help the fuel industry provide environmentally safe availability of renewable and alternative fuels.

Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program page.

Tribal College Initiative Grants Program

The Tribal College Initiative Grants Program funds capital improvements and related equipment among the 35 NIFA 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges.

Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard’s Tribal College Initiative Grants Program page.