Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS CC 2025
The Community Connect Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to help extend high-quality broadband to rural, economically challenged places that currently lack basic broadband access. The central goal is to fund projects that will deliver internet service at or above the program's required "Broadband Grant Speed" of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload to every premise in the proposed funded service area. In practical terms, the program is meant to reach communities where qualifying broadband service does not already exist, defined here as places where service at 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload is unavailable. The broader policy intent is to use community-focused connectivity as a catalyst for local economic development and to expand access to education and health care services that depend on reliable, higher-speed internet, especially in rural settings where market incentives to build out networks can be weak.
RUS indicates it will prioritize applications from rural areas that show the greatest need for broadband, using the scoring or selection criteria laid out in the governing regulation and the official application materials. The regulation for the program is found at 7 CFR part 1739, and applicants are expected to align their proposals with that rule as well as the FY 2025 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide. The Application Guide and related resources are available through the program site at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect, and applicants are responsible for following those instructions closely. Any costs incurred while preparing the application are taken on at the applicant's own risk, meaning there is no reimbursement simply for developing or submitting a proposal.
Eligible applicants span a wide range of public, nonprofit, and private entities, including state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education), and for-profit organizations, including small businesses. The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 10.863, and its funding activity categories include business and commerce, community development, and regional development, reflecting the program's emphasis on infrastructure that supports broader community outcomes rather than connectivity alone.
For FY 2025, the opportunity number is RDRUS CC 2025. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $5,000,000, and the agency anticipates making about 10 awards. Applications must be submitted through the online application system linked from the program website. That system opens on February 20, 2025. The deadline to submit is April 21, 2025, by 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, and the notice emphasizes that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted, so applicants need to plan for upload, validation, and final submission well before the cutoff time.Apply for RDRUS CC 2025
- The Rural Utilities Service in the business and commerce, community development, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Community Connect Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.863.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-04-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Community Connect Grant Program (FY 2025) FAQs
What is the Community Connect Grant Program?
The Community Connect Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS). It is designed to help extend high-quality broadband to rural, economically challenged areas that currently lack basic broadband access.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The central purpose is to fund broadband projects that will deliver internet service at or above the program's required "Broadband Grant Speed" of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload to every premise in the proposed funded service area.
What does "Broadband Grant Speed" mean for funded projects?
For this program, the required Broadband Grant Speed is 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. Projects are expected to deliver service at or above this level to every premise within the proposed funded service area.
What areas is the program intended to serve?
The program is intended to reach rural communities where qualifying broadband service does not already exist. In this context, areas are considered to lack basic broadband access when service at 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload is unavailable.
How does the program define places that "lack basic broadband access"?
Within the information provided, areas are described as lacking basic broadband access where service at 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload is unavailable.
What outcomes does the program aim to support beyond connectivity?
The broader policy intent is to use community-focused connectivity as a catalyst for local economic development and to expand access to education and health care services that depend on reliable, higher-speed internet, especially in rural settings where market incentives to build networks can be weak.
Who runs and administers this grant program?
The program is run by the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Which rules and guidance must applications follow?
Applicants are expected to align proposals with the governing regulation at 7 CFR part 1739 and with the FY 2025 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide.
Where can applicants find the Application Guide and official program resources?
The Application Guide and related resources are available through the program website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect.
How does RUS prioritize or select applications?
RUS indicates it will prioritize applications from rural areas that show the greatest need for broadband, using the scoring or selection criteria in the governing regulation and the official application materials.
Are application preparation costs reimbursed?
No. Any costs incurred while preparing the application are taken on at the applicant's own risk, and there is no reimbursement simply for developing or submitting a proposal.
Who is eligible to apply for the Community Connect Grant Program?
Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; other tribal organizations; nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education); and for-profit organizations, including small businesses.
Are nonprofit organizations required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?
No. The eligibility description includes nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply as nonprofits?
No. The eligibility description specifically excludes institutions of higher education from the nonprofit category.
Are for-profit companies eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations are included as eligible applicants, including small businesses.
Are tribal entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 10.863.
What funding activity categories are associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity categories include business and commerce, community development, and regional development.
What is the FY 2025 opportunity number?
For FY 2025, the opportunity number is RDRUS CC 2025.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $5,000,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency anticipates making about 10 awards.
How and where must applications be submitted?
Applications must be submitted through the online application system linked from the program website.
When does the online application system open?
The online application system opens on February 20, 2025.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline to submit is April 21, 2025, by 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time.
What happens if an application is late or incomplete?
The notice emphasizes that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applicants should plan for upload, validation, and final submission well before the cutoff time.
What should applicants do to avoid missing the deadline?
Applicants should plan ahead for upload, validation, and final submission and avoid waiting until the last minute, since late or incomplete applications will not be accepted and the deadline is a fixed cutoff at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time on April 21, 2025.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development
Next opportunity: FY22 CRISI Congressionally Directed - Heart of Georgia Railroad Rehabilitation and Upgrades Project
Previous opportunity: Advancing HIV/AIDS Research within the Mission of the NIDCD (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RDRUS CC 2025
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RDRUS CC 2025) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Community Connect Grant Program Apply for RDRUS CC 2026 Funding Number: RDRUS CC 2026 Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Regional Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RDRUS CC 2025", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.