Community Connect Grant Program
Funding Type
Grant
Grantor Agency
Rural Utilities Service
Grant Range
Up to $5,000,000
# of Awards Available
Programmatic Area
Broadband
Programmatic Area
Community Development
Programmatic Area
Education
Programmatic Area
Health
Programmatic Area
Workforce & Economic Development
Deadline
2026-06-29
Match Required?
Eligible Entities
Special District Governments; Nonprofits Non Higher Education Without 501C3; Small Businesses; Nonprofits Non Higher Education With 501C3; For Profit Organizations Other Than Small Businesses; City Or Township Governments; Federally Recognized Native American Tribal Governments; Other Native American Tribal Organizations; County Governments; State Governments
Focus Area
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.
Contact
community.connect@usda.gov
Link to Opportunity
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/068ef5f3-2cd1-415b-8f32-f96fa63d91ba
Application Platform
grants.gov
Assistance Listing
10.863
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