Community Connect Grant Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- RDRUS-CC-2026
- Agency
-
Rural Utilities Services
Washington Office, Department of Agriculture
- Applications due
- Award size
- $100,000 to $5,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Categories
-
- Business and Commerce
- Community Development
- Regional Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- City/Township Governments
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Small Businesses
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- State Governments
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Special District Governments
- County Governments
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- For Profit Organizations
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Community Connect Grant Program, administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service, seeks to fund broadband infrastructure deployment in rural, economically-challenged communities currently lacking broadband service. Eligible applicants include incorporated organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, cooperatives, for-profit and not-for-profit entities with legal capacity to own and operate broadband facilities. Key requirements include delivering broadband service at a minimum of 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream to all premises in the proposed service area, providing free service to all essential community facilities for at least two years, establishing a community center with two to ten computer access points offering free access for two years, and demonstrating cybersecurity risk management. Awards will be made competitively based on demonstrated community need and project feasibility, with priority given to rural areas showing the greatest need for broadband services as outlined in 7 CFR Part 1739. The application deadline is June 29, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, with the online application system opening May 13, 2026; applicants must maintain active SAM.gov registration with a valid Unique Entity Identifier and submit 15 percent matching funds in cash.
FY 2026 funding totals $17 million with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $3,000,000, though one document references a $53,000,000 maximum. Grant recipients will have a standard three-year performance period to complete project implementation, with anticipated award announcements in September 2026. Performance obligations include connecting all residential and business customers within a contiguous, eligible rural proposed funded service area where no broadband service currently exists, with no overlap permitted with current RUS borrower/grantee service areas or areas with enforceable commitments. Grant funds may support broadband infrastructure deployment, community center construction or expansion, and community center equipment, with community center costs capped at the lesser of 10 percent of the requested grant or $150,000.
Synopsis
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist. The deployment of broadband services on a "community-oriented connectivity" basis stimulates economic development and provides enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural areas. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on the criteria contained in the regulation and Application Guide.
The regulation for the Community Connect Grant Program can be found at 7 CFR part 1739.
All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to instructions in the FY 2026 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide (Application Guide) and program resources. This Application Guide can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's own risk. Applications will be submitted through the online application system available on the program web site. The application system will open for accepting Community Connect applications on May 13, 2026. Applications must submitted by no later than 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, June 29, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Update #2 ·
The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist. The deployment of broadband services on a "community-oriented connectivity" basis stimulates economic development and provides enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural areas. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on the criteria contained in the regulation and Application Guide.
The regulation for the Community Connect Grant Program can be found at 7 CFR part 1739.
All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to instructions in the FY 2025 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide (Application Guide) and program resources. This Application Guide can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's own risk. Applications will be submitted through the online application system available on the program web site. The application system will open for accepting Community Connect applications on May 13, 2026. Applications must submitted by no later than 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, June 29, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Update #1 ·
The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist. The deployment of broadband services on a "community-oriented connectivity" basis stimulates economic development and provides enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural areas. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on the criteria contained in the regulation and Application Guide.
The regulation for the Community Connect Grant Program can be found at 7 CFR part 1739.
All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to instructions in the FY 2025 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide (Application Guide) and program resources. This Application Guide can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's own risk. Applications will be submitted through the online application system available on the program web site. The application system will open for accepting Community Connect applications on February 20, 2025. Applications must submitted by no later than 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, April 21, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Community Connect Guide FY26_FINAL.pdf | ||
| CCG NOFO FY26.pdf | ||
| CCG NOFO FY 26_corrected.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity