Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Rural Development (RD)

To complete an application for this program, you must be pre-registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and also have a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number. Neither of these applications cost money, but they can take time so be sure to get this taken care of right away. If you are already registered with these systems, you do not need to do it again. 

If you have any questions about the registration process, or are ready to apply, speak to your local RD office at the contact details above.

**Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements**


The&#x2004;program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.


**How may the funds be used?**

Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as:

- Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).

- Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.

- Hydropower below 30 megawatts.

- Hydrogen.

- Small and large wind generation.

- Small and large solar generation.

- Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

- High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).

- Insulation.

- Lighting.

- Cooling or refrigeration units.

- Doors and windows.

- Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.

- Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.

- Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.


Agricultural producers may also use guaranteed loan funds to install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production or processing.



Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

How may the funds be used?
Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as:
- Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
- Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
- Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
- Hydrogen.
- Small and large wind generation.
- Small and large solar generation.
- Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.
Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:
- High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
- Insulation.
- Lighting.
- Cooling or refrigeration units.
- Doors and windows.
- Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
- Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
- Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

Agricultural producers may also use guaranteed loan funds to install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production or processing.

Who may apply for this program?
- Agricultural producers with at least 50 percent of their gross income coming from agricultural operations.
- Small businesses in eligible rural areas.

NOTE: Agricultural producers and small businesses must have NO outstanding delinquent federal taxes, debt, judgment or debarment.

Who may qualify for loan guarantees?
Eligible borrowers are:
- Rural small businesses
- Agricultural producers

What are the borrowing restrictions for loan guarantees? 
- Individual borrowers must be citizens of the United States or reside in the U.S. after being legally admitted for permanent residence.
- Private-entity borrowers must demonstrate that loan funds will remain in the U.S.

What is an eligible area?
- Businesses must be in located in rural areas with populations of 50,000 residents or less. 
- Check eligible business addresses.
- Agricultural producers may be in rural or non-rural areas.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

- Program Fact Sheet
- USDA Energy Investment Map
- USDA Energy Matrix

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Hydro Power

Biofuel

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Greenhouse

Buildings

Fencing

Construction

Storage

Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Certification

Carbon Capture

Regenerative

Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat

Soil Health

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Alternative Energy

Equipment

Facilities

Water Management

What funding is available?
- Loan guarantees on loans up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs.
- Grants for up to 25 percent of total eligible project costs.
- Combined grant and loan guarantee funding up to 75% of total eligible project costs.

What is the maximum amount of a loan guarantee?
The loan guarantee percentage is published annually in a Federal Register notice. 

What are the loan guarantee terms?
The lender, with Agency concurrence, will establish and justify the guaranteed loan term based on the use of guaranteed loan funds, the useful economic life of the assets being financed and those used as collateral, and the borrower's repayment ability. The loan term will not exceed 40 years.

What are the interest rates for the loan guarantee?
- Interest rates are negotiated between the lender and borrower.
- Rates may be fixed or variable.
- Variable interest rates may not be adjusted more often than quarterly.

What are the applicable fees for the loan guarantee?
- There is an initial guarantee fee, currently 1 percent of the guaranteed amount.
- There is a guarantee retention fee, currently 0.25 percent of the outstanding principal balance, paid annually.
- Reasonable and customary fees for loan origination are negotiated between the borrower and lender.

What are the underwriting requirements for the loan guarantee?
- The lender will conduct a credit evaluation using credit documentation procedures and underwriting processes that are consistent with generally accepted prudent lending practices and also consistent with the lender's own policies, procedures and lending practices.
- The lender's evaluation must address any financial or other credit weaknesses of the borrower and project and discuss risk mitigation requirements.
- The lender must analyze all credit factors to determine that the credit factors and guaranteed loan terms and conditions ensure guaranteed loan repayment.
- Credit factors to be analyzed include but are not limited to character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions.  

What are the grant terms?
Renewable Energy System Grants:
- $2,500 minimum
- $500,000 maximum

Energy Efficiency Grants:
- $1,500 minimum
- $250,000 maximum

Are there additional requirements?
- Applicants must provide at least 75 percent of the project cost if applying for a grant only.
- Applicants must provide at least 25 percent of the project cost if applying for loan.
- All projects must have technical merit and utilize commercially available technology. 
- Energy efficiency projects require an energy audit or assessment.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Applicant Self-Screening Tool to assess preliminary eligibility for the program.
All FPEP applications must be filed through Grants.gov.  
Please review the Application Checklist to ensure a complete FPEP application is filed. 
Please review the following documents referenced in the application checklist:
- Project Narrative
- Environmental Checklist
- Feasibility Study Guide (for projects requesting $5 M or more)
- Signed Certifications Fillable Form
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPPEP application. Please reference Section 3.7 of the MPPEP RFA for registration instructions.

The Fertilizer Product Expansion Program (FPEP) provides grants to help eligible applicants increase or otherwise expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives and their availability in the United States. 



 Eligible applicants must: 
- Operate within the U.S. or its territories; 
- Manufacture or process or plan to manufacture or process in accordance with all Federal, State, Tribal and local regulations governing fertilizer and nutrient alternatives, processing, storage, distribution, and waste management; 
- Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and must maintain annual SAM registration while an application is active and through the term of an award. Instructions on how to register your entity in the SAM. 

Weeds

Farmers Market

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Food Systems

Eligible applicants, including affiliates of the eligible applicant, must not hold a market share (in either manufacturing, processing, or distribution) greater than or equal to the entity that holds the fourth largest share of that market for any of the following nutrients or components: Nitrogen, or Phosphate, or Potash, or any combination of the three.
All applicants must certify whether they hold a market share greater than or equal to the top four manufacturers, or processors, or distributors of Nitrogen, or Phosphate, or Potash, or any combination of the three. If manufacturing or processing or planning to manufacture or process other eligible nutrients which are not listed above, no certification is required.

Borrowers should talk to their preferred lender to determine if the lender is approved through the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative. If you have no preferred lender, contact your local RD office at the details above for assistance with identifying a participating lender.

The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is a part of USDA’s Build Back Better initiative to strengthen&#x2004;critical supply chains and our food system. This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain. The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. This program is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.



The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is a part of USDA’s Build Back Better initiative to strengthen critical supply chains and our food system. This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain. The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. This program is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Eligible borrowers must be directly engaged in the middle of the food supply chain, specifically the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of food. Examples of the types of entities that may qualify for the program include a meat processor or a food hub. As a borrower, your lender will work with you to verify your project qualifies.

- Fact Sheet
- Federal Register Notice
- Frequently Asked Questions

Public Health

Compliance

Loans can not be used for
- Lines of credit
- Owner-occupied and rental housing
- Golf courses or golf course supporting infrastructure
- Racetracks or gambling facilities
- Churches or church-controlled organizations
- Fraternal organizations
- Lending, investment, and insurance companies
- Agricultural production
- Distribution or payment to a beneficiary of the borrower, or to an individual or entity that will retain an ownership interest in the borrower

To apply for this program, visit Grants.gov for instructions and application materials. 
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPILP application. 
Applicants are encouraged to review the Self-Screening Guide to assess preliminary eligibility for the program.

The Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) provides grant funding to intermediary lenders who finance – or plan to finance – the start-up, expansion, or operation of slaughter, or other processing of meat and poultry. The objective of the MPILP is to strengthen the financing capacity for independent meat processors, and to create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. 



What types of intermediaries can apply for this program?
Private nonprofit corporations, public agencies, Tribes, and cooperatives that finance – or plan to finance – the start-up, expansion, or operation of meat and poultry processing are eligible to apply.
Who are eligible ultimate recipients?
Businesses engaged, or proposing to engage, in the processing of meat or poultry – either directly, or through agreements with other entities - can apply for a loan from the intermediary lender as an ultimate recipient. 
Ultimate recipients must:
- Be a business engaged, or proposing to engage, in commercial meat or poultry processing projects; either directly, or through agreements with other entities
- Comply with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service requirements, or be custom exempt 

Livestock

Poultry

Cattle

Pigs

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Equine

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Horses

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

- Fact Sheet
- Grants.gov Posting
- Application checklist 
- Self-screening guide 
- 1970-B exhibit D
- 1970-A exhibit H
- Application template 
- FAQ
- Environmental Checklist
- MPILP vs FSC comparison

Local Food

Grant funds to intermediaries can be used to operate and expand meat and poultry processing capacity by supporting activities such as:
- Purchasing and developing land
- Constructing a new facility
- Modernizing or expanding an existing facility
- Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology 
- Improving leaseholds
- Ensuring compliance with occupational and other safety requirements 
- Modernizing equipment or facilities to ensure food safety 
- Refinancing debt
- Purchasing cooperative stock (by individual farmers or ranchers in a farmer or rancher cooperative) 
- Purchasing transferable cooperative stock 
- Making loans to a fund that invests primarily in cooperatives (in accordance with the provisions of the program) 
- Qualifying taxable corporate bonds 
- Paying for feasibility studies for meat and processing facilities 
- Undertaking pollution control and abatement
- Handling waste management
- Offsetting start-up costs, working capital, fees and other expenses related to federal inspection

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please contact your local state office for additional information and to apply for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program.

This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

- Help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.

- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.



This program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:
- Help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
- Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Who may apply for this program?

The following are eligible to be a Microenterprise Development Organization:
- Nonprofits.
- Federally-recognized tribes.
- Institutions of higher education.

The following are eligible to apply for a loan from the MDO as an ultimate recipient:
- Businesses located in an eligible area with 10 or fewer full-time employees.

What is an eligible area?
- Rural areas outside a city or town with a population of fewer than 50,000 residents. Urbanized areas near a city of 50,000 or more may not be eligible.
- The borrower’s headquarters may be based within a larger city so long as the project service area is located in an eligible rural area.
- The lender may be located anywhere.

Check eligible addresses for Business Programs.

Are there other requirements?

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:
- Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
- Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

Stewardship

Español

Women

Native Americans

People Of Color

Labor

What kind of funding is available? 
- Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually. Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
- Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization. Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?
- Maximum term is 20 years.
- Two-year payment deferral.
- Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?
- Up to $50,000.
- Fixed interest rate.
- Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:
- Working capital.
- Debt refinancing.
- Purchasing equipment and supplies.
- Improving real estate.

1. Download the Application Guide and use the forms provided below to complete an application.
2. In addition to the below forms, applicants must provide:
    a. Certifications. The producer must furnish the Renewable Identification Number (RIN) for each biofuel and all required certifications before acceptance into the program and furnish access to the producer’s records required by the Agency to verify compliance with program provisions. The required certifications depend on the type of biofuel produced.
    b. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. All applicants must have a DUNs number which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705–5711 or online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
    c. Registration for the System for Award Management (SAM). Each applicant applying for loan or grant funds must (a) be registered in the SAM system before submitting its application and (b) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application. It is strongly recommended that applicants begin the registration process as soon as possible. Visit https://sam.gov/content/home to register in SAM.
3. To submit the completed application electronically, you must send the application to EnergyPrograms@usda.gov by 11:59 pm (ET) on February 11, 2022.

Lisa Noty

Jeff Carpenter

This program authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to U.S.-based producers of advanced, cellulosic, or conventional biofuel, biomass-based diesel, or renewable fuel to offset unexpected market losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 



Biofuel producers eligible to apply include those whose U.S.-based facilities directly produce an eligible biofuel.

Eligible biofuel is renewable fuel produced from renewable biomass and is used to replace or reduce the quantity of fossil fuel in a transportation fuel, comprised of advanced biofuel, biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, or conventional biofuel, as such terms are defined in section 211(o)(1) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(o)(1)) and produced in the United States. 

You are not considered an eligible producer if you are: 
- A sole proprietor or legal entity that exclusively contracts for the production of biofuel by third-party producers under a toll or bailment arrangement, or third-party production contract
- An individual or legal entity that blends or otherwise combines biofuels into a blended biofuel 



Payment to eligible biofuel producers is based on the volume of market loss the producer experienced during calendar year 2020. The market loss is calculated by comparing the gallons of eligible biofuel produced during calendar year 2019 to the gallons of eligible biofuel produced in calendar year 2020. Quantities of gaseous biofuel are converted into gallons based on the British Thermal Unit (BTU) equivalent of one gallon of biodiesel using Energy Information Administration factors.

- Application windows for this program are announced through the national office on a periodic basis.
- Program Resources are available online at rd.usda.gov (includes forms, guidance, certifications, etc.)

Who can answer questions about this program?
- Email community.connect@usda.gov
- Contact the Loan Origination and Approval Division at (202) 720-0800
- Contact your General Field Representative

USDA Loan Origination and Approval Division

The grant program offers financial assistance to eligible applicants that will&#x2004;construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. 


The Community Connect program helps rural communities receive access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for people and businesses. The projects funded by these grants help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet for jobs, education, healthcare, public safety and community development. 



The grant program offers financial assistance to eligible applicants that will construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. 

The Community Connect program helps rural communities receive access where broadband service is least likely to be commercially available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for people and businesses. The projects funded by these grants help rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the Internet for jobs, education, healthcare, public safety and community development. 

Eligible applicants include:
- State and local governments 
- Federally recognized Tribes
- Nonprofits
- For-profit corporations
- Limited liability companies

What is an eligible area? Rural areas that lack broadband service as defined in the most recent funding announcement are eligible. 

How may the funds be used?
- The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings used to deploy broadband service for:
    - all residential and business customers located within the Proposed Funded Service Area
    - all participating essential community facilities (such as public schools, fire stations, public libraries, and public safety stations)
- The cost of providing broadband service free of charge to the essential community facilities for 2 years
- Up to 10 percent of the grant may be used for the improvement, expansion, construction, or acquisition of a community center that provides online access to the public

Other program requirements include:
- Documentation supporting the scoring criteria
- An executive summary of the proposed project
- Grantees must have legal authority to provide, construct, operate and maintain the proposed facilities or services
- Partnerships with other federal, state, local, private, and nonprofit entities are encouraged
- For additional details, see 7 CFR, 1739 Matching funds of at least 15 percent from non-federal sources are required and can be used for operating costs. 

All MPPEP applications must be filed through www.Grants.gov.
Please review the Application Checklist to ensure a complete MPPEP application is filed. Please review the following documents referenced in the application checklist:
- Application Template
- Environmental Checklist
- Feasibility Study Guide
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPPEP application. Register for SAM here.

MPEPP Question Portal

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency.



Eligible Producers
Sole proprietor businesses or other entities that engage – or want to engage – in meat and poultry processing.
Eligible Projects
Grant funds can be used to expand processing capacity by supporting activities such as:
- Building new – or modernizing or expanding existing – processing facilities
- Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology
- Ensuring compliance with packaging and labeling requirements
- Upholding occupational and other safety requirements
- Modifying facilities or equipment to protect food safety
- Paying for voluntary grading services on value-added processed products
- Offsetting costs associated with becoming an inspected facility
- Supporting workforce recruitment, training, and retention


- Applicant Self-Screening Tool 
- Grants.gov link to Request for Applications

The maximum award amount is $25 million, or 20 percent of total project costs, whichever is less. There is no minimum award amount.
Eligible applicants must also do the following:
- Process – or plan to process – one or more species subject to the Federal Meat Inspection Act, or the Poultry Product Inspection Act.
- Have – or plan to get – a Federal Grant of Inspection through USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, a Grant of Inspection under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a federal equivalent Tribal or state-based meat and poultry inspection program 
- Comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and all other applicable state, local or Tribal laws.

A two-phase application process starts with pre-applications. Selected pre-applications are invited to submit final applications. 
Pre-applications are submitted electronically in the format described by the Federal Register Notice. For the currently open call for applications for repair projects, those instructions begin on page 6 (numbered 13379) if this Federal Register Notice.
If your pre-application is accepted, you will be given instructions on how to make a full application.

This program provides affordable financing to develop housing for year-round and migrant or seasonal domestic farm laborers.



This program assists qualified applicants that cannot obtain commercial credit on terms that will allow them to charge rents that are affordable to low-income tenants. Borrowers must have sufficient qualifications and experience to develop and operate the project. Qualified applicants include:
- Farmers, associations of farmers and family farm corporations
- Associations of farmworkers and nonprofit organizations*
- Most State and local governmental entities*
- Federally-recognized Tribes*

*Eligible to apply for grants and loans

Housing may be constructed in urban or rural areas, as long as there is a demonstrated need.

Training

How may funds be used?
Construction, improvement, repair and purchase of housing for domestic farm laborers is the primary objective of this program.

Funding may also be available for related activities including:
- Buying and improve land
- Purchasing household furnishings
- Paying construction loan interest
- For a complete list, see 7 CFR 3560.53

Who may live in the rental housing?
- Domestic farm laborers, including those working on fish and oyster farms and on-farm processing (1)
- Retired and/or disabled farm laborers
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Very-low- to moderate-income households (2)

What kinds of funding are available?
- Low interest loans
- Grants based on need and may not exceed 90% of project cost

What are the loan terms?
- Up to 33 year payback period
- 1% fixed rate
- An allocation of loan funds is also available for on-farm labor housing and is funded on a first-come, first-served basis

Apply online at grants.gov

Before you apply:
- Request a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number if your organization does not already have one. It should not take more than a few business days to get your number. However, you should plan on requesting it at least a month before the application deadline because you’ll need that number for the next pre-application step (see below).
- Register your organization with the System for Award Management (SAM) if you are not already registered. The registration is free, but you need to complete several steps. It’s a good idea to start the registration process at least a month before any application deadline. Before you start the registration process, RD suggests reading through the HELP materials available on the SAM website. Then, you’ll need to create an account. After you create your account by setting up a user ID and password, you can register your organization. Remember, you’ll need your DUNS number to complete your registration. Also, make a note of your CAGE (Commercial And Government Entity) code and expiration date because you’ll need those for your application.

Contact your nearest Rural Development office if you need assitance.

The primary objective of the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant program is to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a Notice published in the [Federal Register](https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/FY19_SDGGFederalRegister_NOTICE040819.pdf) and an announcement posted on [Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html).



The primary objective of the Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant program is to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups through cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a Notice published in the Federal Register and an announcement posted on Grants.gov.

Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers are eligible.

- Program Fact Sheet
- Federal Register
- Application Checklist 
- Application Template
- FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- USDA OPPE

Grants must be used to provide technical assistance to socially disadvantaged groups in rural areas. Examples of technical assistance are:
- Feasibility studies
- Business plans
- Strategic planning
- Leadership training

Note that the cooperative or center can be located in any area, but the groups assisted must be located in an eligible rural area.

If you haven't applied online by April 25th, you must submit in paper instead. Your application must be postmarked by May 2nd.

Before you apply:
- Request a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number if your organization doesn’t already have one. It should not take more than a few business days to get your number. However, you should plan on requesting it at least a month before the application deadline because you will need that number to register for SAM below.
- Register your organization with the System for Award Management (SAM) if you aren’t already registered. The registration is free, but you need to complete several steps. 

Once you have completed the above preliminary steps, you can apply to this opportunity on grants.gov (keyword 'VAPG'). If you require assistance, contact your local Rural Development office.

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this&#x2004;program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.


You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative or are proposing a mid-tier value chain.


Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the [Federal Register](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-12-11/pdf/2019-26626.pdf) and through an announcement posted on [Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html).



The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.

You may receive priority if you are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative or are proposing a mid-tier value chain.

Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the Federal Register and through an announcement posted on Grants.gov.

Independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation, are eligible to apply for this program.

- Program Fact Sheet
- Data Universal Number System (DUNS)
- System for Award Management
- Federal Register Notice
- Program Regulation
- NSAC's guide to applying for VAPG

Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include:
- Processing costs.
- Marketing and advertising expenses.
- Some inventory and salary expenses.

List of Rural Development (RD) Funding Opportunities