Opportunity Information: Apply for RDBCP RBDG 2023
The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Its central goal is to strengthen rural economies by supporting projects that lead to economic development and job creation. Rather than funding individuals directly, the program awards grant funds to eligible organizations and public entities that can carry out business and community development activities that benefit rural areas.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: RDBCP RBDG 2023) falls under the Business and Commerce funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 10.351. Applications are evaluated in two distinct tracks: business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants. In practical terms, this means proposals are grouped and compete within their respective category, depending on whether the project is geared more toward broader community and business development opportunities or toward more direct support for business growth and enterprise-related activities. The funded work can cover a wide range of business and community projects, as long as the primary service area is rural and the work aligns with the program's economic development and employment objectives.
Eligible applicants include a broad mix of public-sector and nonprofit or education-based institutions. Specifically, eligibility includes state governments, county governments, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations that hold 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (excluding institutions of higher education). This structure reflects the program's focus on placing resources with organizations that can deliver measurable benefits to rural communities, often by coordinating partnerships, providing technical assistance, supporting infrastructure-like business development efforts, or enabling local business support initiatives.
The application deadline for this cycle was February 28, 2023. Complete applications could be submitted either in paper or electronic form, but they had to be received by 4:30 p.m. local time at the USDA Rural Development State Office serving the state where the proposed project would be located. The rules are strict on timing: late submissions were not considered, so applicants needed to plan around delivery timelines and confirmation of receipt. The opportunity was created on December 22, 2022, giving applicants a limited window to prepare and submit a complete package.
In terms of award scale, the notice lists an expected number of awards of about 450, indicating the program typically makes a substantial number of grants across many states and rural regions. The posted award ceiling is shown as 0, which usually signals that a single maximum award amount is not specified in the summary field and may instead be defined by program guidance, annual appropriations, state office priorities, or other official instructions tied to the specific notice. Applicants generally need to rely on the detailed program materials and state office guidance to understand typical award sizes, match requirements if any, and the most competitive project types for that cycle.
Overall, the RBDG program is designed to channel federal grant support into practical, locally grounded efforts that expand economic opportunity in rural America. By separating applications into business opportunity and business enterprise categories and allowing a wide range of eligible public, nonprofit, tribal, and higher education applicants, the program aims to fund projects that can realistically translate grant dollars into stronger rural businesses, improved local capacity, and job creation outcomes.Apply for RDBCP RBDG 2023
- The Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.351.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 22, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 28, 2023 Complete applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format and must be received by 430 p.m. local time on February 28, 2023, in the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State where the Project is located. Late submissions will not be considered. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 450 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) FAQs
What is the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program?
The Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Its main purpose is to strengthen rural economies by supporting projects that drive economic development and job creation in rural areas.
What is the central goal of the RBDG program?
The program is focused on strengthening rural economies by funding activities that lead to economic development and employment outcomes. The intent is to support practical projects that help rural communities grow and create jobs.
Does the RBDG program fund individuals directly?
No. The RBDG program does not fund individuals directly. Grant funds are awarded to eligible organizations and public entities that can carry out business and community development activities benefiting rural areas.
Who runs and administers this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is run by the USDA through Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this RBDG cycle?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is RDBCP RBDG 2023.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.351.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity falls under the Business and Commerce funding activity category.
How are applications evaluated under this opportunity?
Applications are evaluated in two distinct tracks: business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants. Proposals are grouped into their respective track and compete within that category.
What is the difference between a business opportunity grant and a business enterprise grant (as described in the notice)?
Based on the notice description, business opportunity grants generally align with broader community and business development opportunities, while business enterprise grants generally align with more direct support for business growth and enterprise-related activities. Applications compete within the track that best matches the project focus.
What types of projects can be funded through RBDG?
The funded work can cover a wide range of business and community projects, as long as the primary service area is rural and the work aligns with the program's economic development and job creation objectives.
Does the project have to serve a rural area?
Yes. The notice emphasizes that the primary service area must be rural, and the project should align with rural economic development and employment goals.
Who is eligible to apply for this RBDG opportunity?
Eligible applicants listed include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
Are state governments eligible to apply?
Yes. State governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are county governments eligible to apply?
Yes. County governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are city or township governments eligible to apply?
Yes. City or township governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are federally recognized tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are listed as eligible, with the note that this eligibility excludes institutions of higher education.
Can a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is not a college or university apply?
Yes. The eligibility description includes nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), which indicates 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are not institutions of higher education are eligible.
What is the application deadline for this cycle?
The application deadline for this cycle was February 28, 2023.
What time were applications due on the deadline date?
Applications had to be received by 4:30 p.m. local time at the USDA Rural Development State Office serving the state where the proposed project would be located.
Where did applications have to be submitted?
Applications had to be received at the USDA Rural Development State Office serving the state where the proposed project would be located.
Were applicants allowed to submit applications electronically, by paper, or both?
Complete applications could be submitted either in paper or electronic form, as long as they were received by the deadline and time requirement.
What does "received by 4:30 p.m. local time" mean for submissions?
It means the application needed to arrive at the correct USDA Rural Development State Office by 4:30 p.m. local time (in the state where the project would be located). The timing rule is strict, and late submissions were not considered.
Are late applications considered?
No. The notice states that late submissions were not considered, so applicants needed to account for delivery timelines and confirmation of receipt.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 22, 2022.
How many awards were expected to be made under this notice?
The notice lists an expected number of awards of about 450.
Is there a maximum award amount listed for this opportunity?
The posted award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically indicates that a single maximum award amount is not specified in the summary field and may be defined elsewhere in official program guidance or related instructions for that notice.
Where would an applicant look to understand typical award sizes if the ceiling is not specified?
According to the notice description, applicants generally need to rely on detailed program materials and USDA state office guidance to understand typical award sizes and what is most competitive for that cycle.
Why does the program emphasize organizations and public entities instead of individuals?
The structure reflects the program's goal of placing resources with organizations that can deliver measurable benefits to rural communities, often through partnerships, technical assistance, business development efforts, and local business support initiatives.
What kinds of outcomes is RBDG trying to achieve?
RBDG is designed to support locally grounded efforts that expand economic opportunity in rural America, with a focus on stronger rural businesses, improved local capacity, and job creation outcomes.
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