Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant Program
🏛 Office of Postsecondary Education
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations serving rural students. Public and private nonprofit IHEs are eligible, as are public agencies like State Education Agencies and nonprofit organizations. The program supports development of career pathways in high-skill, high-wage, in-demand industry sectors in rural regions. Activities must improve postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion rates.
To qualify as a nonprofit, applicants must provide IRS 501(c)(3) recognition, state nonprofit certification, certificate of incorporation, or documentation of parent organization status. State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies also qualify as eligible public agencies.
This grant is for institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations serving rural students. Public and private nonprofit IHEs are eligible, as are public agencies like State Education Agencies and nonprofit organizations. The program supports development of career pathways in high-skill, high-wage, in-demand industry sectors in rural regions. Activities must improve postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion rates.
To qualify as a nonprofit, applicants must provide IRS 501(c)(3) recognition, state nonprofit certification, certificate of incorporation, or documentation of parent organization status. State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies also qualify as eligible public agencies.
Program description
The purpose of the RPED Grant Program is to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among rural students through development of career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Community College
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public University
- State Government
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations serving rural students. Public and private nonprofit IHEs are eligible, as are public agencies like State Education Agencies and nonprofit organizations. The program supports development of career pathways in high-skill, high-wage, in-demand industry sectors in rural regions. Activities must improve postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion rates.
To qualify as a nonprofit, applicants must provide IRS 501(c)(3) recognition, state nonprofit certification, certificate of incorporation, or documentation of parent organization status. State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies also qualify as eligible public agencies.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (proposal describing career pathways and program design)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity documentation
- Evidence of nonprofit status (if applicable)
- Letters of commitment from partners
Program contact
- 👤 Office of Postsecondary Education
- 📧 RPED@ed.gov
- 📞 202-693-2606
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 84.116 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$50,000,000
-
$10,000,000
-
$8,000,000
-
$7,972,036
-
$7,959,963
-
$7,844,905
-
$7,800,000
-
$7,578,694
-
$7,319,134
-
$7,299,868
Top States by Funding
- AL 4 awards $70.7M
- CA 12 awards $48.1M
- TX 10 awards $43.1M
- NY 7 awards $30.1M
- GA 6 awards $26.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education, State Education Agencies, State Higher Education Agencies, and nonprofit organizations or agencies can apply. Nonprofits must have IRS 501(c)(3) status or equivalent state certification.
What activities does this grant support?
The program funds development of career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, in-demand occupations. Activities must improve postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among rural students.
Is there a deadline, and is cost sharing required?
The deadline is June 23, 2026. No cost sharing is required for this grant.
What is the award amount?
Individual awards range from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. The total program funding pool is $45 million.
Can I apply if my organization serves a specific state or is multi-state?
Yes. The program serves rural regions nationwide. Multi-state consortia and single-state applicants are both eligible if they meet the eligibility criteria.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on rural community needs. Clearly define which rural regions you serve and explain their economic challenges and workforce gaps.
- Develop detailed career pathways aligned to regional high-demand industries. Show data on local job markets and employer demand for specific occupations.
- Demonstrate institutional capacity and partnerships. Strong consortia with employers, K-12 partners, workforce agencies, and community organizations strengthen competitiveness.
- Include measurable outcomes tied to enrollment, persistence, and completion. Federal grants require clear metrics and realistic baselines.
- Address how your program serves disadvantaged students. Show intentional strategies for reaching low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented rural populations.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or vague descriptions of the rural region served and its specific workforce needs. Applicants must provide clear data on local labor markets, not generic rural challenges.
Career pathways not sufficiently aligned to documented employer demand in the region. Partnerships with regional employers and industry groups are essential to demonstrate relevance.
Unrealistic enrollment or completion targets without baseline data or credible achievement strategies. Proposals must show evidence-based reasoning for projected outcomes.
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