Grant Application Opportunity: RISE Program

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN21-02

Issued: July 12, 2021

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of up to $10 million for the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) program authorized under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The primary goal of the grant is to fund rural job accelerator partnerships to facilitate the creation of high-wage jobs, accelerate the establishment of new businesses with high growth potential, and help rural communities maximize local assets to strengthen rural economies.

Successful applicants must form a rural job accelerator partnership or be a member of such a partnership formed on or after December 20, 2018. Applicant projects must propose the construction of an innovation center in a rural area, use grant funds to cover costs related to the operation of a rural innovation center, or fund support programs to be carried out at or in direct partnership with rural job accelerators, including programs that upskill incumbent workers or develop the skills of the local workforce to prepare rural residents for high-wage jobs.

Eligible lead applicants include a district organization, an Indian Tribe or consortium of Indian Tribes, a state or political subdivision of a state or a consortium of political subdivisions, an institution of higher education (IHE) or a consortium of IHEs, or a public or private nonprofit organization. The closing date for receipt of proposals is August 2, 2021.

For more information about this grant opportunity, visit the grants.gov webpage and reference RD-RBS-21-01-RISE. For more information about the RISE program and to view an informational webinar regarding this funding opportunity, visit the USDA Rural Development website.

/s/ JENNIFER GOUVAIA, Acting Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division