USDA's Rural Internet Grants Go Fully Online Starting 2026
Published Date: 5/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is opening up the Community Connect Grant Program for 2026 to help rural communities get better internet and tech access. Starting next year, all funding info will only be online, not in the Federal Register, so keep an eye on their website and grants.gov. If you’re part of a rural community looking for funding, now’s the time to apply and get connected!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Community Connect Grants for Rural Broadband
If you live in a rural community, the USDA Rural Utilities Service is accepting applications for the Community Connect Grant Program for fiscal year 2026 (NOFO published May 13, 2026). The full funding notice is on grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number RDRUS-CC-2026 and Assistance Listing Number 10.863; program guidance and application forms are at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18980, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program 2026
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is inviting rural electric cooperatives to apply for loans through the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program for 2026. This year’s application process kicks off with a call for Letters of Interest, and future announcements will move online only—no more Federal Register notices! If you’re a rural utility looking for funding, now’s the time to act and get your paperwork in on time.
2026-18173, Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection: OMB No. 0570-0069 Rural Development Loan Modernization Initiative
The USDA is updating how it collects info for the Rural Development Loan Modernization Initiative, which helps rural businesses and communities get loans. They want your thoughts on making the process easier and clearer, with comments due by November 3, 2026. This update aims to keep things smooth without adding extra hassle or costs for folks involved.
2026-15795, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program 2026
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for loan Applications, announcing the Application process for those loans, and providing deadlines for Applications from eligible entities under the Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program for fiscal year (FY) 2026. In future years this funding opportunity will only be announced on the Agency website and grants.gov, without a Federal Register notice. Therefore, in future years, neither the funding opportunity nor reference to the funding opportunity in grants.gov will appear in the Federal Register. Please make note of this change in location of the funding announcement in your records.
2026-13622, 60-Day Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection: OneRD Loan Guarantee Program
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is updating the paperwork for the OneRD Loan Guarantee Program, which helps folks get loans for rural projects. They want your thoughts on the changes by September 4, 2026. If you’re involved in rural loans, this update could affect how you apply and share info, but no new fees are mentioned.
2026-10247, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Section 313A Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Utility Infrastructure Purposes for Fiscal Year 2026
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is now accepting applications for the 2026 program that helps guarantee bonds and notes to improve utility infrastructure in rural areas. Starting next year, this funding opportunity will only be posted on the agency’s website, not in the Federal Register, so keep an eye online! If you’re involved in rural utilities, this is your chance to secure financial support for important projects.
2026-08991, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is opening up grants for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine program in fiscal year 2026. Schools, clinics, and rural communities can apply for funding to boost remote education and healthcare tech. Starting next year, these grant announcements will only be found online, so mark your calendars and get ready to apply!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-09553, Global Laser Enrichment, LLC; Establishment of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
Global Laser Enrichment, LLC wants to build and run a special uranium enrichment plant in Kentucky using cool laser technology. A new Atomic Safety and Licensing Board is set up to review this plan, especially after a local group asked for a hearing. This means the project’s future will be carefully checked, with important decisions coming soon that could impact the community and the company’s timeline.
Next: 2026-09556, Arts Advisory Panel Meetings
The National Endowment for the Arts is holding 24 virtual meetings in June 2026 to review and decide on grant applications for various art programs. These closed meetings affect artists and organizations seeking funding, with decisions impacting who gets financial support. If you’re involved in arts funding, mark your calendar for these important review dates!