Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program
Grants to USA government agencies, Tribes, IHEs, rural non-profit cooperatives, businesses, and private entities for rural development initiatives. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to finalize. The program is intended to provide financial assistance to support job accelerator partnerships that improve the ability of distressed rural and energy communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, and help rural communities identify and maximize local assets.
Grant funds may be used to pay for costs directly related to the purchase or construction of an innovation center located in a rural area; costs directly related to operations of an innovation center including purchase of equipment, office supplies, and administrative costs including salaries directly related to the project; costs directly associated with support programs to be carried out at or in direct partnership with job accelerators; reasonable and customary travel expenses directly related to job accelerators and at rates in compliance with 2 CFR 200.474; utilities, operating expenses of the innovation center and job accelerator programs and associated programs; and administrative costs of the grantee not exceeding 10% of the grant amount for the duration of the project.Project Eligibility:All project activities must be for the benefit of communities, industries and residents located in a rural area, as defined in 7 CFR 4284.1103. The applicant is cautioned against taking any actions or incurring any obligations prior to the Agency completing the environmental review that would either limit the range of alternatives to be considered or that would have an adverse effect on the environment, such as the initiation of construction. If the applicant takes any such actions or incurs any such obligations, it could result in project ineligibility. Projects involving the construction of an innovation center as an eligible purpose are subject to the environmental requirements of 7 CFR part 1970, local building codes and all Federal, State, and local accessibility standards.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development, Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS)
City or township governments
County governments
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Independent school districts
Indian housing authorities
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Public housing authorities
See RFP and/or Grant Guidelines for full eligibility
Small businesses
Special district governments
Rural Development staff will present a RISE program webinar on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 11:30am Eastern time to provide an overview of RISE, its purpose, eligible entities and application requirements. There is also an opportunity to ask questions regarding this new grant program.
Webinar Registration: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9046642451030677262
Your application must include no more than a four-year grant period, or it will not be considered for funding. The grant period should begin no earlier than October 1, 2021, and no later than January 1, 2022. Applications that request funds for a project with a performance period ending after January 1, 2026, will not be considered for funding. Projects must be completed within a four-year timeframe. Prior approval is needed from the Agency if you are awarded a grant and desire the grant period to begin earlier or later than previously discussed or approved.