USDA Opens Wallet for Rural Micro-Business Dreams in 2026
Published Date: 2/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA is opening up grants and loans for small rural business owners through the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) for Fiscal Year 2026. This year’s funding details are now online, and future announcements will only be posted on the USDA website and grants.gov, not in the Federal Register. If you’re a rural microbusiness owner or support them, now’s the time to apply and grab this chance to grow your business!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
RMAP opens grants and loans for FY2026
On February 25, 2026, USDA announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity accepting grant, loan, and combined grant-and-loan applications under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) for Fiscal Year 2026. The full funding notice is available on grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number RD-RBCS-26-RMAP) and at the USDA Rural Development RMAP webpage so rural microbusiness owners can apply.
Future RMAP notices move off Federal Register
USDA announced that future RMAP funding opportunities will be posted only on the Agency website and grants.gov and will not appear in the Federal Register. If you apply for or support rural microbusiness funding, you must check grants.gov or the USDA RD website for future announcements instead of relying on Federal Register notices.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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