Rural Business Development Grant Program – Rural Transportation Systems
🏛 Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Can you apply?
This grant is for national organizations providing technical assistance and training to rural communities. Applicants must demonstrate experience improving passenger transportation services and facilities. Organizations must have the capacity to work nationwide. Eligible organizations help rural areas enhance transportation operations and economic conditions.
This grant is for national organizations providing technical assistance and training to rural communities. Applicants must demonstrate experience improving passenger transportation services and facilities. Organizations must have the capacity to work nationwide. Eligible organizations help rural areas enhance transportation operations and economic conditions.
Program description
The purpose of this program is to improve the economic conditions of rural areas by providing technical assistance that will enhance the operation of rural transportation systems.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for national organizations providing technical assistance and training to rural communities. Applicants must demonstrate experience improving passenger transportation services and facilities. Organizations must have the capacity to work nationwide. Eligible organizations help rural areas enhance transportation operations and economic conditions.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing technical assistance activities
- Organizational capacity documentation and past experience examples
- Budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support from rural transportation stakeholders
Program contact
- 👤 Lisa D Sharp Grantor
- 📧 Rachel.Reister@usda.gov
- 📞 3042844871
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.351 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$3,000,000
-
$2,500,000
-
$2,000,000
-
$1,900,000
-
$1,685,000
-
$1,000,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$755,078
-
$747,450
Top States by Funding
- NH 4 awards $9.4M
- PR 12 awards $4.1M
- NE 9 awards $3.9M
- OK 6 awards $3.1M
- TX 8 awards $2.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.351). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $37,199,572 | |
| 2025 | $30,505,475 | |
| 2026 est. | $29,999,998 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
National organizations with proven experience providing technical assistance and training to rural communities on transportation services and facilities.
What geographic area does this cover?
The program serves rural areas nationwide. Your organization should have capacity to assist communities across the United States.
What activities are funded?
Technical assistance and training programs that improve passenger transportation systems and services in rural communities.
Is cost sharing required?
No. There is no cost-sharing requirement for this grant.
What is the typical award amount?
Awards typically reach up to $650,000. Exact amounts depend on project scope and available funding.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your track record delivering technical assistance in rural areas. Include specific examples of past projects and measurable outcomes.
- Show how your services will strengthen rural transportation infrastructure. Connect improvements to economic development benefits.
- Demonstrate national reach or strong partnerships covering multiple regions. Explain how you'll serve communities beyond your local area.
- Clearly define the technical assistance you'll provide. Specify training topics, delivery methods, and participant outcomes.
- Build a strong narrative around rural economic development. Show how transportation improvements support job creation and economic activity.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without documented experience in rural transportation technical assistance. Vague project plans that don't specify which communities or transportation improvements will be addressed. Failing to show organizational capacity to serve rural areas nationwide.
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