Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG)

Grants to public bodies, tribes and nonprofits that fund technical assistance, training, equipment, revolving loan funds and other support for small and emerging rural businesses. Businesses benefit indirectly and cannot apply themselves.

Run by

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development

Funding

Amount varies

No maximum grant amount, but smaller requests get higher priority. Opportunity grants capped at 10% of annual program funding.

Your share

No cost share required

Who can apply

• Applicant must be a public body, federally recognized tribe or nonprofit serving rural areas
• For-profit businesses and individuals cannot apply directly; they benefit through the grantee's projects
• Projects must benefit rural areas outside cities of 50,000+ and their urbanized periphery

How to apply

Small businesses should contact their local economic development organization or USDA state office to learn about RBDG-funded assistance.

Timing

2026 round closed (June 15, 2026 for SECD applications; June 30, 2026 for all others). Next round not announced.

Last checked

2026-10-11

Official page ↗