The purpose of the RCDG program is to enable nonprofit institutions to establish and operate centers for rural cooperative development (Center). The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas by helping nonprofit organizations that, in turn, provide technical assistance to start, expand, or improve cooperatives and mutually owned businesses in rural areas.
The goals of a Center funded under this subsection shall be to facilitate the creation of jobs in rural areas through the development of new rural cooperatives, value-added processing, and rural businesses.
Dates may vary. Please see NOFO for exact details.
Reasonable Accommodation
If you need a reasonable accommodation to access information related to this grant opportunity, please contact the Information Contact listed on this page no later than ten (10) days before the closing date. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the webinar or event related to this grant opportunity, please contact the event host.
Language Access Services
NIFA offers language access services, such as interpretation and translation of vital information, free of charge. If you need interpretation or translation services, please visit NIFA Language Access Services and request service no later than ten (10) days before the closing date.
More Information on Eligibility
Applicants for the RCDG program must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.
Applications will only be accepted from nonprofit institutions. A “nonprofit institution” is defined as any organization or institution, including an accredited institution of higher education, no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 4284.520(a). Applicants are ineligible for assistance through this program if one or more of the items defined in 7 CFR 4284.520(b) occurs.
Posted Date
Thursday, September 4, 2025
For more Information Contact
Closing Date
Monday, September 15, 2025
Contact for Electronic Access Problems
grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
Funding Opportunity Number
USDA-NIFA-OP-011616
Assistance Listing Number
10.771
Estimated Total Program Funding
$5,800,000
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement
Matching Requirement (See NOFO for Details)
Range of Awards
$0 – $1,000,000
