Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRUS CC 2026
The Community Connect Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) aimed at expanding high-speed broadband in rural, economically challenged areas that currently lack basic broadband service. The program is designed for communities where service at 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload does not exist, and it funds projects that will deliver broadband at or above the required Broadband Grant Speed of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload to every premise in the proposed service area. The broader goal is to build connectivity in a community-centered way that supports local economic development and improves access to education and health care services.
The program places a strong emphasis on targeting areas with the greatest need. RUS will prioritize applications from rural communities that best demonstrate unmet broadband needs using the criteria described in the governing regulation and the official application materials. The regulation that controls the program is found at 7 CFR part 1739, and applicants are expected to align their proposals with both the regulation and the FY 2026 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide. The Application Guide and related resources are provided through the USDA Rural Development website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect, and it serves as the main blueprint for eligibility, required documentation, scoring factors, and how RUS evaluates applications.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of entities that can realistically plan, build, and operate broadband networks or partner to do so. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education); and for-profit organizations, including small businesses. The funding activity categories listed for this opportunity are business and commerce, community development, and regional development, reflecting the program's intent to use broadband infrastructure as a foundation for wider community benefits.
For FY 2026, the opportunity number is RDRUS CC 2026, and the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number is 10.863. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $5,000,000, and the agency expects to make about 5 awards, indicating a competitive process. Applications must be submitted through the program's online application system hosted on the program website. The system opens May 13, 2026, and the submission deadline is June 29, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time. The deadline is firm: late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applicants are also warned that any costs incurred while preparing the application are at the applicant's own risk, meaning the government does not reimburse proposal development expenses even if an application is unsuccessful.Apply for RDRUS CC 2026
- 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 2026-05-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-29. (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 5 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.
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Community Connect Grant Program (FY 2026) FAQs
What is the Community Connect Grant Program?
The Community Connect Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS). It is designed to expand high-speed broadband in rural, economically challenged areas that currently lack basic broadband service, with an emphasis on community-centered connectivity that supports local economic development and improves access to education and health care services.
What problem is this grant program trying to solve?
The program targets rural communities where basic broadband service does not exist. Specifically, it is intended for proposed service areas where service at 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload is not available. The grant is aimed at closing that gap by funding projects that will deliver modern, high-speed broadband throughout the service area.
What broadband speeds are required for funded projects?
Projects funded under this opportunity must deliver broadband at or above the required Broadband Grant Speed of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload to every premise in the proposed service area.
What is meant by "every premise" in the proposed service area?
Based on the opportunity description, funded projects must provide the required Broadband Grant Speed (100/20 Mbps) to every premise located within the proposed service area described in the application.
What areas does the program prioritize?
RUS places a strong emphasis on targeting areas with the greatest need. Applications from rural communities that best demonstrate unmet broadband needs will be prioritized using criteria described in the governing regulation and the official application materials.
How does RUS determine which applications have the greatest need?
RUS will prioritize applications that best demonstrate unmet broadband needs using the criteria described in the governing regulation (7 CFR part 1739) and the official application materials, including the FY 2026 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide.
What regulation governs this program?
The controlling regulation for the Community Connect Grant Program is found at 7 CFR part 1739. Applicants are expected to align proposals with this regulation as well as the FY 2026 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide.
Where can applicants find the official Application Guide and resources?
The FY 2026 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide and related resources are provided through the USDA Rural Development website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect. The Application Guide is described as the main blueprint for eligibility, required documentation, scoring factors, and how RUS evaluates applications.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes a broad range of entity types that can plan, build, and operate broadband networks (or partner to do so). Eligible applicants include:
- State, county, and local governments
- Special district governments
- Federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations
- Nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations, including small businesses
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are listed as eligible applicants, with the noted exception that institutions of higher education are excluded.
Are for-profit companies eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations, including small businesses, are listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and certain tribal organizations are included among the eligible applicant types.
Can local or county governments apply?
Yes. State, county, and local governments are listed as eligible applicants, as are special district governments.
What types of activities does this funding support?
The opportunity lists funding activity categories that reflect the program's broader intent: business and commerce, community development, and regional development. The program uses broadband infrastructure as a foundation for wider community benefits, including economic development and improved access to education and health care.
What is the opportunity number for FY 2026?
The FY 2026 opportunity number is RDRUS CC 2026.
What is the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number?
The CFDA (Assistance Listing) number for this opportunity is 10.863.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $5,000,000.
How competitive is this grant?
The agency expects to make about 5 awards for FY 2026. Combined with the emphasis on prioritization and scoring criteria, this indicates a competitive process.
How and where do applicants submit an application?
Applications must be submitted through the program's online application system hosted on the program website (referenced on the program page at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect).
When does the online application system open for FY 2026?
The online application system opens May 13, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The submission deadline is June 29, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time.
Is the deadline flexible if something goes wrong at the last minute?
No. The opportunity states the deadline is firm and that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
What happens if an application is incomplete?
Incomplete applications will not be accepted, according to the opportunity description. Applicants should use the FY 2026 Application Guide as the primary blueprint for required documentation and submission expectations.
Does the government reimburse costs to prepare the application?
No. Applicants are warned that any costs incurred while preparing the application are at the applicant's own risk. Proposal development expenses are not reimbursed even if an application is unsuccessful.
What should applicants align their proposals with?
Applicants are expected to align their proposals with both the governing regulation (7 CFR part 1739) and the FY 2026 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide, including any criteria, documentation, and evaluation approach described there.
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