Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working on rural health and safety education. Eligible applicants typically include universities, nonprofits, and extension services serving rural communities. Projects must focus on health and safety topics relevant to rural populations, including agricultural workers and rural residents. Funding supports competitive grants for educational programs, research translation, and outreach activities in rural areas.
This grant is for organizations working on rural health and safety education. Eligible applicants typically include universities, nonprofits, and extension services serving rural communities. Projects must focus on health and safety topics relevant to rural populations, including agricultural workers and rural residents. Funding supports competitive grants for educational programs, research translation, and outreach activities in rural areas.
Program description
The Rural Health and Safety Education Program, under ALN 10.516, seeks to foster quality of life in rural communities by providing the essential knowledge necessary for successful programs of rural development; improving coordination among Federal agencies, other levels of government and institutions, and private organizations in rural areas; and developing and disseminating information about rural conditions.
The RHSE program supports quality of life in rural communities across the United States by addressing the relationship between rural prosperity and rural health and safety in the context of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations working on rural health and safety education. Eligible applicants typically include universities, nonprofits, and extension services serving rural communities. Projects must focus on health and safety topics relevant to rural populations, including agricultural workers and rural residents. Funding supports competitive grants for educational programs, research translation, and outreach activities in rural areas.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Current/pending support documentation
- Organizational capacity/team qualifications
- Letters of support or commitment
- Evaluation plan
Program contact
- 👤 Yamilis Ocasio Grantor
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 6892630095
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.516 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$442,991
-
$442,991
-
$442,991
-
$442,991
-
$442,946
-
$442,941
-
$442,929
-
$442,636
-
$442,527
-
$442,498
Top States by Funding
- CO 4 awards $1.6M
- FL 4 awards $1.6M
- MS 4 awards $1.4M
- MO 3 awards $1.1M
- ND 3 awards $1.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.516). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,559,207 | |
| 2025 | $3,632,964 | |
| 2026 est. | $2,865,050 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Universities, nonprofits, extension services, and other institutions serving rural communities. Some programs require formal partnerships with educational institutions.
What types of projects are funded?
Health and safety education programs, training materials, outreach initiatives, and research-based interventions for rural audiences.
What is the typical funding amount?
This varies by program year. Check the current FOA for specific amounts and award ranges.
When is the deadline?
June 23, 2026. Applications open April 22, 2026. Plan to submit well before the deadline.
How competitive is this funding?
Moderately to highly competitive. Strong applications show clear rural impact, experienced teams, and realistic budgets.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate how your project addresses health or safety gaps in rural communities. Be specific about the rural population served.
- Build partnerships with local extension offices or rural health providers. These strengthen credibility and local relevance.
- Use data and evidence to justify your approach. Show what research supports your proposed solution.
- Demonstrate sustainability beyond grant funding. Explain how the program or materials will continue or scale.
- Review past successful awards if available. NIFA publishes abstracts of funded projects that illustrate what reviewers value.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack concrete rural impact metrics or focus too broadly on non-rural populations. Weak project teams without relevant experience in rural health education or the specific health/safety topic. Budgets appear inflated or poorly justified for the proposed scope.
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