Rural Innovation Stronger Economy

To help struggling communities by funding job accelerators in low-income rural communities by supporting jobs accelerator partnerships to improve the ability of distressed rural and energy communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the formatio

Rural Jobs Accelerator Partnerships comprised of key community and regional stakeholders formed after December 20, 2018 are eligible to apply. Partnership criteria and requirements may be found at 7 CFR 4284.1112.

The applicant project outcome must accelerate the formation of new businesses with high-growth potential, improve the ability of rural businesses and distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, and strengthen rural regional economies. Eligible uses include the following costs incurred after a complete application has been received by the Agency: 1. Costs directly related to the purchase or construction of an innovation center 2) Costs directly related to operations of an innovation center including including purchase of equipment, office supplies, and administrative costs including salaries directly related to the project; (3) Costs directly associated with support programs to be carried out at or in direct partnership with job accelerators; (4) Reasonable and customary travel expenses directly related to job accelerators and at rates in compliance with 2 CFR 200.474; (5) Utility costs, operating expenses of the innovation center and job accelerator programs and associated programs

Funding decisions will be made by September 15th. Funds must be used on approved projects within a 4- year timeframe.

Applications will only be accepted through Grants.gov. Contents of a complete application package are available at 7 CFR 4284.1115.

RISE grant applications will be evaluated, assigned priority points as described in 7 CFR 4284.1117 and ranked from highest to lowest score for funding consideration, subject to the availability of funding.

The National Office will review applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on requirements in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart L, this notice, and other applicable Federal regulations. If determined eligible, your application will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in accordance with the point allocation. Applications will be funded in rank order until the funding limitation has been reached. Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding at the Agency's discretion.

Grants may not be renewed. The Agency may approve requests to extend the grant period for up to an additional two-year period. Requests must be made and approvals granted in writing.

Agency decisions that are adverse to the individual participant are appealable, while matters of general applicability are not subject to appeal; however, such decisions are reviewable for appealability by the National Appeals Division (NAD). All appeals will be conducted by NAD and will be handled in accordance with 7 CFR part 11.